JP7513732B2 - Decorative film, manufacturing method for decorative film, molded product, electronic device, and automobile exterior plate - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to decorative films, methods for manufacturing decorative films, molded products, electronic devices, and automotive exterior panels.

Traditionally, decorative films with metallic luster have been applied to the surfaces of molded products such as home appliances, office equipment, and automobile parts in order to improve design. Resin films containing metal particles are used as the decorative films, but from the standpoint of the environmental burden caused by the use of heavy metals and the risk of causing radio interference when applied to electronic devices, the development of alternative decorative films is desired.

In recent years, the use of decorative films containing a resin layer with cholesteric regularity, which has high reflective brightness and spectral characteristics and can impart a beautiful appearance, has been considered.

The resin layer having cholesteric regularity has a cholesteric liquid crystal phase having a helical structure within the layer that selectively reflects circularly polarized light having a reflection center wavelength that correlates with the helical pitch.
Furthermore, by providing areas within the resin layer that have a helical structure with different helical pitches, the visible color can be changed; for example, a gradation-like color change that changes from blue to green to red can be displayed, thereby imparting high design quality to the molded product.
However, the color change that can be displayed by conventional decorative films that contain one resin layer having the above-mentioned cholesteric regularity is limited to a color change from short wavelengths to long wavelengths (blue to green to red), making it difficult to display complex color changes, and there is a demand for decorative films with a wider variety of colors.

In addition, JP 2010-111104 A, JP 2017-205988 A, WO 2020/122245 A, and WO 2018/79606 A disclose decorative films including two or more resin layers having cholesteric regularity.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-111104 discloses a decorative film that includes a laminate including a resin layer having a first cholesteric regularity and a resin layer having a second cholesteric regularity, wherein the resin layer having the first cholesteric regularity is a layer that transmits a first circularly polarized light and reflects a second circularly polarized light that is polarized differently from the first circularly polarized light, and the second cholesteric resin layer is arranged so as to reflect at least a portion of the first circularly polarized light that has transmitted through the resin layer having the first cholesteric regularity.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-205988 discloses a decorative film including a first patterned cholesteric liquid crystal reflective layer that reflects a first circularly polarized light having a characteristic reflection peak wavelength of 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less, and a second patterned cholesteric liquid crystal reflective layer that reflects a second circularly polarized light having a characteristic reflection peak wavelength of 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less and a different characteristic reflection peak wavelength from the first circularly polarized light.
International Publication No. 2020/122245 discloses a decorative film including one or more liquid crystal layers including regions having different maximum wavelengths of reflectance.
International Publication No. WO 2018/79606 discloses a decorative film including two or more liquid crystal layers including regions having different maximum wavelengths of reflectance.

The decorative film containing two or more resin layers disclosed in JP 2010-111104 A is intended to impart a metallic luster to a molded product, but does not display color and has insufficient design properties.
In addition, the cholesteric liquid crystal reflective layers included in the decorative film disclosed in JP 2017-205988 A each display a different color, but there is no change in color within the plane of the cholesteric liquid crystal reflective layer, leaving room for improvement in design.
Furthermore, the decorative films disclosed in WO 2020/122245 and WO 2018/79606 also have room for further improvement in the variation of color change, similar to the decorative films disclosed in JP 2010-111104 A and JP 2017-205988 A. In addition, the colors displayed by the decorative films disclosed in WO 2020/122245 and WO 2018/79606 have room for improvement from the viewpoint of visibility.
As described above, the present inventors have now found that there is room for further improvement in design in the conventional decorative films disclosed in JP 2010-111104 A, JP 2017-205988 A, WO 2020/122245 A, WO 2018/79606 A, and the like.

The problem that one embodiment of the present disclosure aims to solve is to provide a decorative film, a molded product, a manufacturing method for a decorative film, an automotive exterior panel, and an electronic device that are highly visible, can display a wide variety of color changes, and have excellent design properties.

<1> A first resin layer having cholesteric regularity, the first resin layer having two or more regions in the same plane, the wavelengths at which the maximum reflectance is different, and the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved in at least one of the regions is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
a second resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer;
A colored layer;
A decorative film comprising at least

<2> A decorative film described in <1>, wherein the second resin layer has two or more regions on the same surface having different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, and the wavelength of maximum reflectance in at least one region is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more.

<3> A region in which the wavelength at which the first resin layer has a maximum reflectance exists in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
The decorative film according to <2>, wherein the second resin layer is provided at a position at which the second resin layer at least partially overlaps with a region in which the wavelength at which the second resin layer has a maximum reflectance is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more.

<4> A decorative film described in any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the first resin layer has, as at least one of two or more regions having different wavelengths at which the maximum reflectance is achieved, a region in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved is in the range between 380 nm and less than 800 nm.

<5> A decorative film described in any one of <1> to <4>, having an average in-plane reflectance of 20% or more.

<6> A decorative film described in any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the first resin layer and the second resin layer are laminated adjacent to each other.

<7> A decorative film described in any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the first resin layer and the second resin layer reflect circularly polarized light in the same direction.

<8> A step of preparing a liquid crystal material including a substrate and a liquid crystal layer;
a step of subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment to cause the liquid crystal layer to have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region with a wavelength of maximum reflectance in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and then curing the liquid crystal layer to form a first resin layer having cholesteric regularity;
forming a second resin layer on the first resin layer, the second resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer;
A method for producing a decorative film comprising the steps of:

<9> A step of preparing a liquid crystal material including a substrate and a second resin layer having cholesteric regularity;
forming a liquid crystal layer on the second resin layer, subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment to cause the liquid crystal layer to have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region with a wavelength of maximum reflectance in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and then curing the liquid crystal layer to form a first resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the second resin layer;
A method for producing a decorative film comprising the steps of:

<10> A method for manufacturing a decorative film described in <8> or <9>, wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed from a liquid crystal composition containing a monofunctional liquid crystal compound.

<11> A method for producing a decorative film described in <10>, wherein the liquid crystalline composition contains at least one of a multifunctional liquid crystalline compound and a multifunctional non-liquid crystalline polymerizable monomer.

<12> A method for manufacturing a decorative film described in <11>, in which the ratio of the content of the monofunctional liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal composition to the sum of the content of the multifunctional liquid crystal compound and the multifunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer is 85:15 to 40:60 by mass.

<13> A molded product obtained by molding a decorative film described in any one of <1> to <7>.

<14> An electronic device comprising a decorative film described in any one of <1> to <7>.

<15> An automobile exterior panel having a molded product described in <13>.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a decorative film, a molded product, a manufacturing method for a decorative film, an electronic device, and an automotive exterior panel that are highly visible, can display a wide variety of color changes, and have excellent design properties.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the first resin layer. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the first resin layer. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the first resin layer. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the first resin layer. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a decorative film. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the decorative film. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the decorative film. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the decorative film. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a patterning mask 1 used in the examples. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a patterning mask 2 used in the examples. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a patterning mask 3 used in the examples. FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a patterning mask 4 used in the examples. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example. FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a decorative film produced in an example.

The contents of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. The following description of the components may be based on a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment.

In the present disclosure, a numerical range indicated using "to" includes the numerical values before and after "to" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively.
In the numerical ranges described in the present disclosure in stages, the upper or lower limit value described in one numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit value of another numerical range described in stages. In addition, in the numerical ranges described in the present disclosure, the upper or lower limit value of the numerical range may be replaced with a value shown in the examples.
In the present disclosure, each component may contain multiple types of the corresponding substance. When multiple substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, the content or amount of each component means the total content or amount of the multiple substances present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.
In the description of groups (atomic groups) in the present disclosure, descriptions that do not indicate whether they are substituted or unsubstituted include those that have no substituents as well as those that have a substituent. For example, an "alkyl group" includes not only an alkyl group that has no substituent (an unsubstituted alkyl group) but also an alkyl group that has a substituent (a substituted alkyl group).
In the present disclosure, "(meth)acrylic" is a term used as a concept that includes both acrylic and methacrylic, and "(meth)acryloyl" is a term used as a concept that includes both acryloyl and methacryloyl.
In this disclosure, the term "layer" includes cases where a layer is formed over the entire area when the area in which the layer is present is observed, as well as cases where the layer is formed over only a portion of the area.
In the present disclosure, the term "step" refers not only to an independent step, but also to a step that cannot be clearly distinguished from other steps, as long as the intended purpose of the step is achieved.
In the present disclosure, "mass %" and "weight %" are synonymous, and "parts by mass" and "parts by weight" are synonymous.
In the present disclosure, the term "total solid content" refers to the total mass of the components excluding the solvent from the entire composition of the composition. Also, as described above, the "solid content" refers to the components excluding the solvent, and may be, for example, solid or liquid at 25°C.
In the drawings, components that are substantially the same as those in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
The present disclosure will be described in detail below.

(Decorative film)
The decorative film according to the present disclosure is a decorative film including at least a first resin layer (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "first resin layer") having cholesteric regularity, the first resin layer having two or more regions on the same surface with different wavelengths at which the maximum reflectance is achieved, and the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved in at least one region is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, a second resin layer (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "second resin layer") having cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer, and a colored layer.
The positional relationship between the first resin layer and the second resin layer is not particularly limited, and either layer may be on top.
The colored layer may be provided on the first resin layer or on the second resin layer, or may be provided on or under the first resin layer or the second resin layer via another resin layer described below.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a decorative film can be produced that has high visibility, can display a wide variety of color changes, and has excellent design properties.

The reasons why the decorative film according to the present disclosure has high visibility, can display a wide variety of color changes, and has excellent design properties are presumed to be as follows, but are not limited to these.
The first resin layer contained in the decorative film according to the present disclosure has two or more regions on the same surface, each having a different wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum, and the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum in at least one region is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more.
In other words, the first resin layer has an area that does not produce additive color mixing with the colors displayed by the second resin layer and the colored layer when laminated with the second resin layer and the colored layer, making it possible to display complex color changes that cannot be displayed by the decorative film disclosed in JP 2010-111104 A, etc., thereby improving the design.
In addition, since the decorative film includes a colored layer, the color displayed by the decorative film including the colored layer has improved visibility compared to the color displayed by the decorative film disclosed in International Publication No. 2018/79606, etc.

The decorative film according to the present disclosure may further include other resin layers (hereinafter, simply referred to as "other resin layers") having cholesteric regularity different from the cholesteric regularity of the first resin layer and the second resin layer. The decorative film according to the present disclosure may include one other resin layer, or may include two or more other resin layers. In addition, the other resin layer may be provided on the first resin layer, may be provided on the second resin layer, or may be provided between the first resin layer and the second resin layer.

It is preferable that the first resin layer and the second resin layer are laminated adjacent to each other. By laminating the first resin layer and the second resin layer adjacent to each other, rather than laminating them via an adhesive or the like, the thickness of the decorative film can be reduced, and the ease of molding the decorative film can be improved. When the decorative film has other resin layers, it is preferable that the other resin layers are laminated adjacent to at least one of the first resin layer and the second resin layer.

The total thickness of the first resin layer and the second resin layer (including the thickness of other resin layers, if any) is preferably less than 25 μm, more preferably less than 20 μm, and even more preferably less than 10 μm. By setting the total thickness within the above numerical range, the ease of molding the decorative film can be improved. In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the reflectance of each resin layer, the total thickness is preferably 1 μm or more, more preferably 2 μm or more, and even more preferably 3 μm or more.
Furthermore, when the resin layer is bonded using an adhesive or the like, the thickness of the layer formed by the adhesive or the like is also included in the total thickness.

In the first resin layer, etc., by changing at least one condition selected from the group consisting of the helical pitch (twisting force and helical twist angle) of the helical structure formed by the liquid crystal compound described below, the refractive index of the resin layer, and the thickness of the resin layer, it is possible to adjust the color that changes depending on the viewing angle and the viewed color itself.
The helical pitch of the helical structure can be easily adjusted, for example, by changing the type of chiral compound or the amount of chiral compound added. Adjustment of the helical pitch is described in detail in Fujifilm Research Report No. 50 (2005), pp. 60-63. The helical pitch of the helical structure can also be adjusted by changing conditions such as temperature, illuminance, or irradiation time when fixing the cholesteric alignment state.

The selective reflectivity of the first resin layer, the second resin layer, and the other resin layers may be for either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light, but it is preferable that they selectively reflect circularly polarized light in the same direction. By the first resin layer, the second resin layer, and the other resin layers selectively reflecting circularly polarized light in the same direction, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of interference fringes in the decorative film.

The decorative film may have a substrate. The decorative film may also have an orientation layer.

From the viewpoint of brilliance, the average in-plane reflectance of the decorative film is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more, even more preferably 40% or more, and particularly preferably 45% or more.
In the present disclosure, the average in-plane reflectance of a decorative film is measured as follows.
A spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, V-670) equipped with a large integrating sphere device (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, ILV-471) is used to irradiate light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 1500 nm vertically (at an angle of 90° relative to the surface of the resin layer) onto the outermost resin layer of the decorative film, and the peak wavelength is read from the resulting spectrum to obtain the reflectance of the peak wavelength. The reflectance of the peak wavelength is measured over the entire surface of the outermost resin layer, and the average of the measured values is taken as the in-plane average reflectance.

<First Resin Layer>
The first resin layer has two or more regions in the same plane, each having a different wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum. The two or more regions include at least one region (hereinafter also referred to as specific region A) in which the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more.

In addition, since the reflection band is narrow and the transparency can be easily adjusted, it is preferable that the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved in specific region A is 380 nm or less.

The two or more regions of the first resin layer selectively reflect light in a specific wavelength range (hereinafter, also referred to as selective reflectivity).
In the present disclosure, having selective reflectivity means that when light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 1500 nm is incident on the above region and the integrated reflectance is measured using a spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, V-670) equipped with a large integrating sphere device (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, ILV-471), a spectral waveform having at least one mountain-shaped (peak) is obtained with the wavelength as the horizontal axis.
Moreover, the two or more regions each have a different wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum.
In the present disclosure, the wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum refers to the wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum at the peak of the spectrum waveform obtained as described above.
When there are multiple peaks, the peak containing the reflectance with the maximum value is used.

The area of specific region A is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to adjust it appropriately according to the color required for the decorative film of the present disclosure.

The first resin layer may have one specific region A or two or more specific regions A in the same plane. When the first resin layer has two or more specific regions A, the wavelengths at which the reflectance of each region is maximum may be the same or different. When the first resin layer has two or more specific regions A, the areas of each region may be the same or different.
When the first resin layer has one specific region A within the same surface, the position at which the specific region A is provided is not particularly limited, and the specific region A11 may be provided at one end of the first resin layer 10 as shown in Figure 1, or the specific region A11 may be provided at a position other than the end, such as the center, as shown in Figure 2.
In addition, when the first resin layer has two or more specific regions A in the same plane, there is no particular limitation on the position of the specific region A. When the first resin layer has two specific regions A in the same plane, for example, the specific regions A may be provided on both ends of the first resin layer 10 as shown in Fig. 3, or may be provided at a position other than the end as shown in Fig. 4.

In the present disclosure, the reflectance of light with a wavelength greater than 380 nm and less than 800 nm can be measured using a spectrophotometer (V-670, manufactured by JASCO Corporation) equipped with a large integrating sphere device (ILV-471, manufactured by JASCO Corporation) as described above.

The first resin layer may have, as at least one of the two or more regions, a region in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved is in the range between more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm (hereinafter also referred to as “other region A”).
Because the first resin layer has the other region A, when laminated with the second resin layer and the colored layer, etc., there is a mixture of regions where additive color mixing occurs with the second resin layer and the colored layer and regions where additive color mixing does not occur, making it possible to display more complex color changes in the decorative film, further improving the design.

The area of the other region A is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to adjust it appropriately according to the color required for the decorative film of the present disclosure.

The first resin layer may have one other region A, or may have two or more other regions A. When the first resin layer has two or more other regions A, the wavelengths at which the reflectance of each region is maximum may be the same or different. When the first resin layer has two or more other regions A, the areas of each region may be the same or different.
When the first resin layer has one other region A within the same plane, the position at which the other region A is provided is not particularly limited, and the other region A12 may be provided at one end of the first resin layer 10 as shown in FIG. 1, or the other region A12 may be provided at a position other than the end, such as the center, as shown in FIG. 3.
In addition, when the first resin layer has two or more other regions A in the same plane, the position where the other region A 12 is provided is not particularly limited. When the first resin layer has two other regions A in the same plane, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the other regions A may be provided on both ends of the first resin layer 10, or may be provided at a position other than the end (not shown).

Furthermore, the other region A of the first resin layer may have a wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum that changes continuously within the plane. For example, by configuring the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum to change continuously from 381 nm to 450 nm, the other region A can have a color that changes in a gradation tone from purple to blue, thereby further improving the design of the decorative film.
In addition, by providing specific regions A having a configuration in which the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum changes continuously from 350 nm to 380 nm and other regions A having a configuration in which the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum changes continuously from 381 nm to 450 nm in a surface sequential manner, it is possible to display a gradational color change in the order of transparent, purple, and blue.

The maximum reflectance in the other region A, which is in the wavelength range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm, is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more, even more preferably 40% or more, and particularly preferably 45% or more. A maximum reflectance of 20% or more can further improve the visibility of the decorative film.

In the specific region A of the first resin layer, when the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is 380 nm or less, the thickness of the first resin layer is preferably 1 μm to 5 μm, more preferably 1 μm to 4 μm, and even more preferably 1 μm to 3 μm.
In the specific region A of the first resin layer, when the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is 800 nm or more, the thickness of the first resin layer is preferably 1 μm to 6 μm, more preferably 2 μm to 6 μm, and even more preferably 3 μm to 6 μm.

<Second Resin Layer>
The configuration of the second resin layer is not particularly limited as long as it has a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer, but it is preferable that the second resin layer has two or more regions in the same plane that have different wavelengths for which the reflectance is maximum.
In addition, it is preferable that the second resin layer has at least one region (hereinafter also referred to as specific region B) in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more as a region included in the two or more regions. By having the above-mentioned region in the second resin layer, it becomes possible to display more complex color changes in the decorative film, and the design is further improved.
The specific region B is preferably provided at a position where it at least partially overlaps with the specific region A of the first resin layer. By adopting the above-mentioned configuration, the color of the colored layer contained in the decorative film of the present disclosure can be visually recognized, and the design of the decorative film can be further improved (see FIG. 5). In addition, the specific region B may be provided at a position where it completely overlaps with the specific region A.

The area of specific region B is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to adjust it appropriately according to the color required for the decorative film of the present disclosure.

The second resin layer may have one specific region B in the same plane, or may have two or more specific regions B. When the second resin layer has two or more specific regions B, the wavelengths at which the reflectance of each region is maximum may be the same or different. When the second resin layer has two or more specific regions B, the areas of each region may be the same or different.
In the second resin layer, the position where the specific region B is provided can be the same position as the position where the specific region A is provided in the first resin layer, such as the end portion or the center portion.

Furthermore, in the specific region B of the second resin layer, similarly to the specific region A, the wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum may change continuously within the plane.
In addition, the preferred range of the reflectance of light having a wavelength of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm in specific region B is the same as that in specific region A, and therefore will not be described here.

The second resin layer may have a region (hereinafter also referred to as "other region B") in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm as a region included in the two or more regions. By having the other region B in the second resin layer, it is possible to display a more complex color change in the decorative film, and the design is further improved.
Here, as shown in Figure 5, the color of the decorative film 1 is described, which has a configuration in which the first resin layer 10 has a specific area A11 and other areas A12, the second resin layer 20 has a specific area B21 and other areas B22, and the specific area A11 and the specific area B21 are arranged in a position where they overlap.
In the area where specific area A11 and specific area B21 overlap, the incident light is reflected by the colored layer 30, so that in the above area, only the color of the colored layer 30 (monochrome area) can be seen (dashed line (1) in Figure 5).
In the area where the specific area A11 and the other area B22 overlap, for example, right-handed circularly polarized blue light is reflected by the second resin layer 20, and other light is reflected by the colored layer 30, so that in the above area, a color obtained by additively mixing the color of the other area B22 of the second resin layer 20 and the color of the colored layer 30 can be seen (dashed line (2) in FIG. 5). Note that when the color of the colored layer 30 is black, the light transmitted through the first resin layer 10 is not reflected by the colored layer 30, and only the color of the other area B22 of the second resin layer 20 is observed (not shown).
In the area where the other area A12 and the other area B22 overlap, for example, the incident light is reflected by the first resin layer 10 as right-handed circularly polarized red light, the blue right-handed circularly polarized light is reflected by the second resin layer 20, and the other light is reflected by the colored layer 20. Therefore, in the above area, the color of the other area A12 of the first resin layer 10, the color of the other area B22 of the second resin layer 20, and the color of the colored layer 30 can be visually recognized as an additive mixture (dashed line (3) in FIG. 5). In addition, when the color of the colored layer 30 is black, the light transmitted through the first resin layer 10 is not reflected by the colored layer 30, and the color of the other area A12 of the first resin layer 10 and the color of the other area B22 of the second resin layer 20 can be visually recognized as an additive mixture (not shown).

The area of the other region B is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to adjust it appropriately according to the color required for the decorative film of the present disclosure.

The second resin layer may have one other region B, or may have two or more other regions B. When the second resin layer has two or more other regions B, the wavelength at which the reflectance of each region is maximum may be the same or different. Also, when the second resin layer has two or more other regions B, the area of each region may be the same or different.

In the second resin layer, the position at which the other region B is provided may be a position similar to the position at which the other region A is provided in the first resin layer, such as an end or a central portion.

Furthermore, the other region B of the second resin layer may have a wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum that changes continuously within the plane, similar to the other region A.

The maximum reflectance in the other region B, which is in the wavelength range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm, is preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more. A maximum reflectance of 20% or more can further improve the visibility of the decorative film.

Furthermore, the preferred thickness of the second resin layer is the same as that of the first resin layer, so description is omitted here.

<Other Resin Layers>
The decorative film according to the present disclosure may include a resin layer other than the first resin layer and the second resin layer, such as a third resin layer, a fourth resin layer, and a fifth resin layer. By including the other resin layers in the decorative film according to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to display a more complex color change in the decorative film, and the design is further improved.
The configuration of the other resin layer has a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer and the second resin layer, and when the decorative film contains a plurality of other resin layers, there is no particular restriction as long as the other resin layers each have a different cholesteric regularity, but it is preferable that the other resin layers have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance in the same plane, and that the region contained in the two or more regions has at least one region (hereinafter also referred to as specific region C) in which the wavelength of maximum reflectance exists in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more. By the other resin layer having the above region, it is possible to display more complex color changes in the decorative film, and the design is further improved.
The specific region C is preferably provided at a position where it at least partially overlaps with the specific region A of the first resin layer. In addition, when the second resin layer has the specific region B, it is preferably provided at a position where at least a portion of the specific region A, the specific region B, and the specific region C overlap. This makes it possible to visually confirm the color of the colored layer contained in the decorative film of the present disclosure, and further improves the design of the decorative film. In addition, the specific region C may be provided at a position where it completely overlaps with the specific region A or the specific region B.

The area of specific region C is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to adjust it appropriately according to the color required for the decorative film of the present disclosure.

The other resin layer may have one specific region C or two or more specific regions C in the same surface. When the other resin layer has two or more specific regions C, the wavelength at which the reflectance of each region is maximum may be the same or different. When the other resin layer has two or more specific regions C, the area of each region may be the same or different.
In the other resin layers, the position where the specific region C is provided can be the same position as the position where the specific region A is provided in the first resin layer, such as the center or the end portion.

The preferred numerical range of reflectance for light with wavelengths greater than 380 nm and less than 800 nm in specific region C is the same as that for specific region A, and therefore will not be described here.

The other resin layer may have a region (hereinafter also referred to as "other region C") in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm as a region included in the above two or more regions. When the other resin layer has other region C, it becomes possible to display more complex color changes in the decorative film, and the design is further improved.

The area of the other region C is not particularly limited, and it is preferable to adjust it appropriately according to the color required for the decorative film of the present disclosure.

The other resin layer may have one other region C, or may have two or more other regions C. When the other resin layer has two or more other regions C, the wavelength at which the reflectance of each region is maximum may be the same or different. Furthermore, when the other resin layer has two or more other regions C, the area of each region may be the same or different.
In the other resin layer, the position where the other region C is provided can be the same position as the position where the other region A is provided in the first resin layer, such as the central portion or the end portion.

Furthermore, the other regions C of the other resin layers may have a wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum that changes continuously within the plane, similar to the other regions A.

The maximum reflectance in the other region C, which is in the wavelength range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm, is preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more. A maximum reflectance of 20% or more can further improve the visibility of the decorative film.

Furthermore, the preferred thicknesses of the other resin layers are similar to that of the first resin layer, so they will not be described here.

Specific examples of decorative films are given below, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

The decorative film 1 shown in FIG. 6 includes a first resin layer 10 , a second resin layer 20 , and a colored layer 30 .
The specific region A11 of the first resin layer 10 is transparent from one end (the left end in Figure 6) to the boundary with the other region A12, and the other region A12 changes in color in a gradational manner, for example from purple to blue, in the in-plane direction from the boundary to the other end (the right end in Figure 6).
In addition, the specific region B21 of the second resin layer 20 is transparent from the other end to the boundary with the other region B22, and the other region B22 changes in color in an in-plane direction from the boundary to the one end, for example, from reddish purple to red.
The decorative film 1 in which the above-mentioned first resin layer 10 and second resin layer 20 are laminated displays a gradation of colors from blue to magenta and red in this order from one end to the other end.

The decorative film 1 shown in FIG. 7 includes a first resin layer 10, a second resin layer 20, and a colored layer 30.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a specific region A11 of the first resin layer 10 and a specific region B21 of the second resin layer 20 are provided in an overlapping position, and the color of the colored layer 30 can be visually confirmed in that region.

The decorative film 1 shown in FIG. 8 includes a first resin layer 10, a second resin layer 20, and a colored layer 30.
8, the specific region A11 of the first resin layer 10 is transparent from one end (the left end in FIG. 8) to the boundary with the other region A12, and the other region A12 displays a constant color, for example, red, from the boundary to the other end (the right end in FIG. 8). The other region B22 of the second resin layer 20 extends from one end to the other end, and displays a constant color, for example, blue.
The decorative film 1 in which the above-mentioned first resin layer 10 and second resin layer 20 are laminated displays a blue color from one end to the boundary, and a purple color from the boundary to the other end.

<Colored Layer>
The decorative film according to the present disclosure includes a colored layer. By including the colored layer in the decorative film, it is possible to display a more complex color change and improve the visibility of the color.
The colored layer may be provided on the first resin layer, may be provided on the second resin layer, or may be provided between the first resin layer and the second resin layer. In addition, the colored layer may be provided on the entire surface of the first resin layer or the like, or may be provided on a part of it.

When the decorative film includes a substrate as described below, the colored layer is preferably provided between the first resin layer, the second resin layer or any other resin layer and the substrate from the viewpoint of design.
From the viewpoints of ease of molding and durability, the colored layer is preferably provided on the resin layer on the side opposite to the side on which the base material is provided.
The position where the colored layer is provided is not limited to the above example, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the application of the decorative film.

The decorative film according to the present disclosure may have only one colored layer, or may have two or more colored layers.
In the decorative film according to the present disclosure, from the viewpoint of design, it is preferable that at least one of the colored layers is a layer that can be viewed through the resin layer.
When the colored layer is viewed through the resin layer, a color change occurs depending on the angle at which the colored layer is viewed, based on the anisotropy that depends on the angle of incident light in the resin layer, and it is presumed that the decorative film according to the present disclosure has special design properties.
Furthermore, when specific area A and specific area B, etc., in the first resin layer and the second resin layer, etc., contained in the resin layer overlap, the color of the colored layer can be confirmed, and it is presumed that the decorative film according to the present disclosure displays more complex color changes and has greater designability.
From the viewpoint of visibility, the total light transmittance of at least one of the colored layers, preferably the colored layer for viewing through the resin layer, is preferably 10% or less.
In the present disclosure, the total light transmittance can be measured using a spectrophotometer (for example, spectrophotometer UV-2100 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) K 7375 issued in 2008.

When the decorative film according to the present disclosure has two or more colored layers, at least one of the colored layers is a layer for viewing through the resin layer, and at least another of the colored layers is a layer (also called a "color filter layer") closer to the viewing direction than the resin layer. Note that "close to the viewing direction" refers to being provided at a position closer to the viewer when the decorative film is viewed.
The colored layer (color filter layer) closer to the viewing direction than the resin layer is a layer having high transparency at least to light of a specific wavelength, and its layer configuration is not particularly limited, and may be a single-color color filter layer, or a color filter layer having a color filter structure of two or more colors and, if necessary, a black matrix, etc.
By including the color filter layer, the decorative film according to the present disclosure can have a further designability, and a decorative film in which only a specific wavelength range is visible can be obtained.

The color of the colored layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the application. Examples of the color of the colored layer include black, gray, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The color of the colored layer may also be a metallic color.
By making the color layer black, as described above, it is possible to provide an area where only the color of the other area A of the first resin layer or the color of the other area B of the second resin layer can be visually recognized, and the design of the decorative film can be further improved. In addition, by making the color layer black, it is possible to further improve the visibility of the displayed color.
Furthermore, by making the color of the colored layer white, the color can be complementary to the color of the other area A of the first resin layer or the color of the other area B of the second resin layer, thereby widening the range of colors that can be displayed and further improving the design of the decorative film.

From the viewpoints of strength and scratch resistance, the colored layer preferably contains a resin, such as the binder resin described below.
The colored layer may be a layer formed by curing a polymerizable compound described below, or may be a layer containing a polymerizable compound and a polymerization initiator. The polymerizable compound and polymerization initiator are not particularly limited, and known polymerizable compounds and known polymerization initiators can be used.
The colored layer may be a vapor-deposited film layer or a plated layer.

The colored layer may contain a colorant, such as a pigment or a dye. From the standpoint of durability, a pigment is preferred.

The type of pigment is not particularly limited, and known inorganic pigments and organic pigments can be used.
Examples of inorganic pigments include white pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, lithopone, precipitated calcium carbonate, white carbon, aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, and barium sulfate; black pigments such as carbon black, titanium black, titanium carbon, iron oxide, and graphite; pearl pigments such as iron oxide, which are formed by coating the surface of mica or glass pieces with a metal oxide such as titanium oxide, barium yellow, cadmium red, and chrome yellow.
As the inorganic pigment, the inorganic pigments described in JP-A-2005-7765 can also be used.

Examples of organic pigments include phthalocyanine pigments such as phthalocyanine blue and phthalocyanine green, azo pigments such as azo red, azo yellow and azo orange, quinacridone pigments such as quinacridone red, shinkasha red and shinkasha magenta, perylene pigments such as perylene red and perylene maroon, carbazole violet, anthrapyridine, flavanthrone yellow, isoindoline yellow, industhrone blue, dibromoanzathrone red, anthraquinone red, and diketopyrrolopyrrole.

As the pigment, a pigment having light transmission or light reflection (so-called luster pigment) may be used. Examples of the luster pigment include metallic luster pigments such as aluminum, copper, zinc, iron, nickel, tin, aluminum oxide, and alloys thereof, interference mica pigments, white mica pigments, graphite pigments, and glass flake pigments. The luster pigment may be uncolored or colored.
When exposure is performed during molding of the decorative film, the luster pigment is preferably used in an amount that does not interfere with curing by exposure.

The colorant may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When two or more colorants are used, an inorganic pigment and an organic pigment may be combined.
From the viewpoints of expression of the desired color and suitability for molding processability, the content of the colorant in the colored layer is preferably 1% by mass to 50% by mass, more preferably 5% by mass to 50% by mass, and particularly preferably 10% by mass to 40% by mass, based on the total mass of the colored layer.

The colored layer may contain a dispersant. By containing a dispersant in the colored layer, the dispersibility of the colorant, particularly the pigment, in the colored layer is improved, and the color in the decorative film can be made uniform.

The type of dispersant is preferably appropriately selected depending on the type and shape of the colorant, and is preferably a polymer dispersant.
Examples of polymeric dispersants include silicone polymers, (meth)acrylic polymers, and polyester polymers. When it is desired to impart heat resistance to the decorative film, it is preferable to use, for example, a silicone polymer such as a graft type silicone polymer as the dispersant.
In addition, commercially available dispersants may be used.

From the viewpoint of dispersibility of the colorant, the weight average molecular weight of the dispersant is preferably from 1,000 to 5,000,000, more preferably from 2,000 to 3,000,000, and particularly preferably from 2,500 to 3,000,000.
In the present disclosure, the "weight average molecular weight" refers to a molecular weight detected by a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analyzer using columns of TSKgel GMHxL, TSKgel G4000HxL, or TSKgel G2000HxL (all of which are product names manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) in a differential refractometer using THF (tetrahydrofuran) as a solvent, and converted using polystyrene as a standard substance.

The dispersant may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the dispersant in the colored layer is preferably 1 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the colorant.

From the viewpoint of ease of molding, the colored layer preferably contains a binder resin.
The type of binder resin is not particularly limited, and any known resin can be used. From the viewpoint of imparting a desired color to the colored layer, the binder resin is preferably a transparent resin, and more specifically, is preferably a resin having a total light transmittance of 80% or more.

Examples of binder resins include (meth)acrylic resins, silicone resins, polyester resins, urethane resins, polyolefin resins, etc. The binder resin may be a homopolymer of a specific monomer, or a copolymer of a specific monomer with another monomer.

The binder resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.
From the viewpoint of ease of molding, the content of the binder resin in the colored layer is preferably 5% by mass to 70% by mass, more preferably 10% by mass to 60% by mass, and particularly preferably 20% by mass to 60% by mass, relative to the total mass of the colored layer.

In addition to the above components, the colored layer may contain additives, if necessary.
The type of additive is not particularly limited, and known additives can be used. Examples of additives include surfactants described in Japanese Patent No. 4502784 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-237362, thermal polymerization inhibitors (also called polymerization inhibitors, preferably phenothiazine) described in Japanese Patent No. 4502784, and additives described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-310706.

The thickness of the colored layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of visibility and three-dimensional formability, it is preferably 0.5 μm or more, more preferably 3 μm or more, even more preferably 3 μm to 50 μm, and particularly preferably 3 μm to 20 μm.
When the decorative film has two or more colored layers, it is preferable that each colored layer independently has a thickness in the above range.

<Orientation Layer>
The decorative film according to the present disclosure may have an alignment layer. The position of the alignment layer is not particularly limited, but it is preferably provided adjacent to the first resin layer, the second resin layer, or other resin layer. The alignment layer is used to align the molecules of the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition used in forming the resin layer.
The orientation layer only needs to be present when the first resin layer and the like are formed, and the decorative film produced does not necessarily have to have an orientation layer.

The alignment layer can be formed by utilizing means such as rubbing a layer containing an organic compound (preferably a polymer), oblique deposition of an inorganic compound such as SiO, or formation of a layer having microgrooves.
Furthermore, the alignment layer can be formed by applying an electric field, a magnetic field, or light irradiation to the layer to generate an alignment function (hereinafter, an alignment layer that generates an alignment function by light irradiation is also referred to as a photoalignment layer).
Depending on the material contained in the substrate or another resin layer provided as a lower layer of the resin layer to be formed, the lower layer can be directly subjected to an orientation treatment (e.g., rubbing treatment) to function as an orientation layer, and there is no need to provide a separate orientation layer (hereinafter, an orientation layer that has an orientation function due to rubbing treatment is referred to as a rubbed orientation layer). An example of the material contained in the above-mentioned lower layer is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
In addition, when another resin layer or the like is formed directly on the first resin layer or the second resin layer, the first resin layer or the like as the lower layer may function as an alignment layer to align the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition used to form the other resin layer or the like as the upper layer, making it unnecessary to provide an alignment layer or to perform an alignment treatment.

The thickness of the alignment layer is preferably 0.01 μm to 10 μm.

Below, we will explain the rubbed alignment layer and photoalignment layer as preferred examples.

--Rubbing treatment alignment layer--
The rubbed alignment layer may contain a polymer, examples of which include polyester resins such as methacrylate copolymers, styrene copolymers, polyolefins, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, poly(N-methylolacrylamide), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide resins, vinyl acetate copolymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, and polycarbonate resins, as described in JP-A-8-338913.
Furthermore, a silane coupling agent can be contained in the rubbed alignment layer as a polymer.
The polymer contained in the rubbed alignment layer is preferably a water-soluble polymer, specifically, poly(N-methylolacrylamide), carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, etc. are preferred, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, or modified polyvinyl alcohol are more preferred, and polyvinyl alcohol or modified polyvinyl alcohol are even more preferred.

The liquid crystal composition is applied to the rubbed surface of the alignment layer to align the molecules of the liquid crystal compound. Thereafter, if necessary, the polymer contained in the alignment layer is reacted with the polyfunctional monomer contained in the first resin layer, or the polymer contained in the alignment layer is crosslinked using a crosslinking agent to form the first resin layer.

-Photo-alignment layer-
The photo-alignment layer may contain a photo-alignment material. Examples of the photo-alignment material include azo compounds described in JP-A-2006-285197, JP-A-2007-76839, JP-A-2007-138138, JP-A-2007-94071, JP-A-2007-121721, JP-A-2007-140465, JP-A-2007-156439, JP-A-2007-133184, JP-A-2009-109831, Japanese Patent No. 3883848 and Japanese Patent No. 4151746, and the like; Preferred examples include aromatic ester compounds described in, maleimide and/or alkenyl-substituted nadimide compounds having a photo-orientable unit described in JP-A-2002-265541 and JP-A-2002-317013, photo-crosslinkable silane derivatives described in, for example, Japanese Patent Nos. 4205195 and 4205198, photo-crosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, and esters described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2003-520878, 2004-529220, and 4162850. Particularly preferred are azo compounds, photo-crosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, or esters.

<Substrate>
The decorative film according to the present disclosure may include a substrate. The shape and material of the substrate are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the application.
From the viewpoints of ease of insert molding and chipping resistance, the substrate is preferably a resin substrate, and more preferably a resin film substrate.

Examples of the substrate include resin films containing resins such as PET resin, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) resin, polyolefin resin (preferably polypropylene), (meth)acrylic resin, urethane resin, urethane-modified (meth)acrylic resin, polycarbonate (PC) resin, (meth)acrylic-modified polycarbonate resin, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and (meth)acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer resin (ABS resin).
Among the above, from the viewpoints of ease of moldability and strength, a resin film containing at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a PET resin, a (meth)acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a urethane-modified (meth)acrylic resin, a PC resin, a (meth)acrylic-modified polycarbonate resin, and a polypropylene resin is preferred, and a resin film containing at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a (meth)acrylic resin, a PC resin, and a (meth)acrylic-modified polycarbonate resin is more preferred.
The substrate may also be a laminated resin substrate having two or more layers, with a preferred example being a laminate of a (meth)acrylic resin film and a polycarbonate resin film.

The substrate may contain additives as necessary.
Examples of additives include lubricants such as mineral oil, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, fatty acid esters, fatty acid amides, metal soaps, natural waxes, and silicones; inorganic flame retardants such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; organic flame retardants such as halogen-based organic flame retardants and phosphorus-based organic flame retardants; organic and inorganic fillers such as metal powder, talc, calcium carbonate, potassium titanate, glass fiber, carbon fiber, and wood powder; antioxidants, ultraviolet protection agents, lubricants, dispersants, coupling agents, foaming agents, colorants, and engineering plastics other than the above-mentioned resins, such as polyolefin resins, polyester resins, polyacetal resins, polyamide resins, and polyphenylene ether resins.

The thickness of the substrate is not particularly limited and is preferably selected appropriately depending on the application of the decorative film, but the thickness of the substrate is preferably 1 μm or more, more preferably 10 μm or more, even more preferably 20 μm or more, and particularly preferably 50 μm or more. The thickness of the substrate is preferably 500 μm or less, more preferably 450 μm or less, and even more preferably 200 μm or less.

From the viewpoint of adhesion to adjacent layers, the substrate is preferably subjected to a surface treatment, such as a corona discharge treatment, a plasma treatment, an ozone treatment, and a flame treatment.
The substrate may be made of a material with high releasability, and may be used in the production of the decorative film and then peeled off and removed from the produced decorative film.

(Other layers)
In addition to the layers described above, the decorative film of the present disclosure may optionally contain other layers, such as a protective layer, an antistatic layer, an antireflection layer, a color correction layer, an ultraviolet absorbing layer, a gas barrier layer, a release layer, an adhesive layer, and an adhesive layer.

(Method for manufacturing the decorative film according to the first embodiment)
The method for producing a decorative film according to the present disclosure includes:
providing a liquid crystal material comprising a substrate and a liquid crystal layer;
a step of subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment to cause the liquid crystal layer to have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region with a wavelength of maximum reflectance in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and then curing the liquid crystal layer to form a first resin layer having cholesteric regularity;
forming a second resin layer on the first resin layer, the second resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer;
including.

The manufacturing method for the decorative film disclosed herein may also include a step of forming other resin layers.

<Step of Preparing Liquid Crystal Material>
The liquid crystal material includes a substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer can be formed by applying a liquid crystal composition onto a substrate and heating the substrate. Alternatively, a commercially available liquid crystal material may be used.

The substrate may be one produced by a conventional method using the above-mentioned materials, or a commercially available product such as Technoloy (registered trademark) series (acrylic resin film or a laminate of an acrylic resin film and a polycarbonate resin film, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.).
After the decorative film is produced, the substrate may be peeled off.

The method of applying the liquid crystal composition onto the substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include wire bar coating, curtain coating, extrusion coating, direct gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, die coating, spin coating, dip coating, spray coating, and slide coating. Examples of the application method include a method of transferring a liquid crystal composition that has been separately coated on a support. Examples of the application method include a method of ejecting droplets of the liquid crystal composition. An inkjet method can be used as the dotting method.
The applied liquid crystal composition can be heated to align the liquid crystal compound. The heating temperature is preferably 200° C. or less, more preferably 130° C. or less. By the heat treatment, a liquid crystal layer is formed in which the liquid crystal compound has a twisted alignment structure having a helical axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the formation surface.
When the liquid crystal composition contains the above-mentioned solvent, it is preferable to dry it by a known method. For example, it may be dried by leaving it alone or drying it in air, or it may be dried by heating.
The amount of the liquid crystal composition applied may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of the thickness of the first resin layer after drying. The first resin layer may be formed on a substrate, and may be formed on a colored layer or other resin layer provided on the substrate. In addition, the materials that may be contained in the liquid crystal composition have been described above, and therefore will not be described here.

--Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal compound--
The liquid crystal composition may contain a liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal composition may contain a non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer. The liquid crystal composition may contain a chiral compound. The liquid crystal composition may contain a crosslinking agent. The liquid crystal composition may contain other additives. The liquid crystal composition may contain a solvent.

Examples of the liquid crystalline compound include a rod-shaped compound (hereinafter also referred to as a rod-shaped liquid crystalline compound) and a discotic compound (hereinafter also referred to as a discotic liquid crystalline compound). From the viewpoint of ease of forming a helical structure, a rod-shaped liquid crystalline compound is preferred.
The liquid crystal composition may contain two or more rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds, two or more discotic liquid crystal compounds, or a mixture of a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound and a discotic liquid crystal compound.
The formed resin layer may not contain a liquid crystal compound. For example, the first resin layer may be a layer containing a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound having a group that reacts with heat, light, or the like, which reacts with heat, light, or the like, crosslinks, becomes polymerized, and loses liquid crystallinity as a result.

The combination of liquid crystal compounds used to form the resin layer is not particularly limited.
All of the liquid crystal compounds used to form the resin layer may be rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds, all of them may be discotic liquid crystal compounds, or all of them may be a mixture of rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds and discotic liquid crystal compounds. The mixture of rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds and discotic liquid crystal compounds may have different mixing ratios for each layer, or may be the same. Also, a layer formed entirely of rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds and a layer formed entirely of discotic liquid crystal compounds may be laminated.

The liquid crystal compound may be a low molecular weight compound or a high molecular weight compound. In this disclosure, the term "high molecular weight compound" refers to a compound with a degree of polymerization of 100 or more (Polymer Physics: Phase Transition Dynamics, by Masao Doi, p. 2, Iwanami Shoten, 1992).

In order to reduce the effect of temperature and humidity on the formation of the helical structure, it is preferable that the liquid crystal compound has a reactive group in one molecule, and more preferably has two or more reactive groups in one molecule. Hereinafter, a liquid crystal compound having one reactive group in one molecule is also referred to as a "monofunctional liquid crystal compound", and a liquid crystal compound having two or more reactive groups in one molecule is also referred to as a "polyfunctional liquid crystal compound".
The liquid crystal composition preferably contains a monofunctional liquid crystal compound. By containing the monofunctional liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal composition can improve the ease of forming the decorative film.

When a further resin layer is formed on the formed resin layer, for example, when a second resin layer is formed on the first resin layer, the liquid crystal composition used to form the first resin layer preferably contains at least one of a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and a polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer. By containing at least one of a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and a polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer, when the liquid crystal composition for forming the second resin layer is applied onto the first resin layer, it is possible to prevent the liquid crystal composition for forming the second resin layer from being mixed with the components in the first resin layer.
The content of the polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and the polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more. Also, the content of the polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and the polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 50% by mass or less.
From the viewpoint of formability of the decorative film, the liquid crystal composition preferably contains a monofunctional liquid crystal compound in addition to at least one of a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and a polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer.
When the liquid crystal composition contains a monofunctional liquid crystal compound, a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound, and a polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer, the ratio of the content of the monofunctional liquid crystal compound to the content of the polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and the polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer in the liquid crystal composition (the content of the monofunctional liquid crystal compound: the sum of the contents of the polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and the polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer) is preferably 95:5 to 1:99, more preferably 85:15 to 10:90, further preferably 85:15 to 20:80, and particularly preferably 85:15 to 40:60, on a mass basis.

From the viewpoint of moldability of the decorative film, it is preferable that the liquid crystalline composition forming the resin layer provided on the outermost surface (hereinafter also referred to as the outermost resin layer) contains less polyfunctional liquid crystalline compounds and polyfunctional non-liquid crystalline polymerizable monomers than the liquid crystalline composition forming the resin layer provided below the outermost resin layer. In this disclosure, the outermost resin layer may be the first resin layer, the second resin layer, or another resin layer.

In addition, the polyfunctional liquid crystal compound preferably has two or more reactive groups with different crosslinking mechanisms. By using the liquid crystal compound and selecting the reaction conditions, a part of the reactive groups of the liquid crystal compound can be polymerized, and a layer containing a compound having an unreacted reactive group can be formed.
Examples of the crosslinking mechanism include a condensation polymerization reaction, a hydrogen bond reaction, and an addition polymerization reaction. Note that "having two or more reactive groups with different crosslinking mechanisms" also includes the case of having two or more reactive groups with different polymerization reactions as crosslinking mechanisms.
When a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound has two or more reactive groups having different crosslinking mechanisms, it is preferable that the crosslinking mechanism of at least one of the reactive groups is a polymerization reaction, and it is more preferable that the crosslinking mechanisms of the two or more reactive groups are different polymerization reactions.

A liquid crystalline compound having two or more types of reactive groups with different crosslinking mechanisms is a compound that can be crosslinked in stages using different crosslinking reaction processes, and in each crosslinking reaction process, the reactive group corresponding to the respective crosslinking mechanism reacts as a functional group.
In addition, for example, when a polymerization reaction is carried out to polymerize a polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol having hydroxy groups in its side chains, and then the hydroxy groups in the side chains are crosslinked with an aldehyde or the like, two or more different crosslinking mechanisms are used.
In the present disclosure, the liquid crystal compound having two or more different reactive groups is preferably a compound that has two or more different reactive groups at the time when the resin layer is formed and is capable of crosslinking the reactive groups in a stepwise manner after formation.

The reactive group is preferably a polymerizable group. Examples of the polymerizable group include a radically polymerizable group and a cationic polymerizable group. The liquid crystal compound is preferably a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound having two or more kinds of polymerizable groups.
The difference in reaction conditions for stepwise crosslinking may be any of a difference in temperature, a difference in the wavelength of light (irradiation radiation), and a difference in polymerization mechanism. However, it is preferable to use a difference in polymerization mechanism in terms of easiness in separating the reactions, and it is more preferable to control the mechanism by the type of polymerization initiator used.

Examples of the polymerizable group include a vinyl group, a (meth)acrylic group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, a vinyl ether group, a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, and an amino group.
As a combination of polymerizable groups, a combination of a radical polymerizable group and a cationic polymerizable group is preferred. Among them, a combination in which the radical polymerizable group is a vinyl group or a (meth)acrylic group and the cationic polymerizable group is an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group or a vinyl ether group is preferred because it is easy to control the reactivity.
Among these, the liquid crystal compound preferably has a radical polymerizable group from the viewpoints of reactivity and ease of fixing the helical pitch of the helical structure.
Examples of reactive groups are shown below, but the reactive groups are not limited to these. In addition, Et represents an ethyl group, and n-Pr represents an n-propyl group.

Preferred examples of the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound include azomethine compounds, azoxy compounds, cyanobiphenyl compounds, cyanophenyl ester compounds, benzoate compounds, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid phenyl ester compounds, cyanophenylcyclohexane compounds, cyano-substituted phenylpyrimidine compounds, alkoxy-substituted phenylpyrimidine compounds, phenyldioxane compounds, tolane compounds, and alkenylcyclohexylbenzonitrile compounds.
In addition to the above-mentioned low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds, polymeric liquid crystal compounds can also be used. The polymeric liquid crystal compounds are polymerized compounds obtained by polymerizing low molecular weight rod-like liquid crystal compounds having reactive groups.
Examples of the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound include compounds described in JP-A-2008-281989, JP-T-11-513019 and JP-T-2006-526165.

Specific examples of rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds are shown below, but the compounds are not limited thereto. The compounds shown below can be synthesized by the method described in JP-A-11-513019.

I-20

I-21

I-22

I-23

I-24

Examples of the discotic liquid crystal compound include low molecular weight discotic liquid crystal compounds such as monomers, and polymerizable discotic liquid crystal compounds.
Examples of the discotic liquid crystal compound include benzene derivatives described in the research report of C. Destrade et al., Mol. Cryst., Vol. 71, p. 111 (1981), truxene derivatives described in the research report of C. Destrade et al., Mol. Cryst., Vol. 122, p. 141 (1985) and Physicslett, A, Vol. 78, p. 82 (1990), cyclohexane derivatives described in the research report of B. Kohne et al., Angew. Chem., Vol. 96, p. 70 (1984), and compounds described in the research report of J. M. Lehn et al., J. Chem. Commun., p. 1794 (1985) and the research report of J. Zhang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116, p. 2655 (1994), and the like.
The discotic liquid crystal compounds include compounds that have the above-mentioned various structures as a disk-shaped mother nucleus at the center of the molecule, and have groups (L) such as linear alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, and substituted benzoyloxy groups radiating outward as side chains of the mother nucleus, and that exhibit liquid crystallinity. The above compounds are generally called discotic liquid crystals.
When the aggregate of the above compounds is uniformly aligned, it shows negative uniaxiality, but the discotic liquid crystal compound is not limited to this description. When a discotic liquid crystal compound having a reactive group is used as the liquid crystal compound, it may be fixed in any of the alignment states of horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, tilt alignment and twist alignment in the cured resin layer.

The liquid crystal composition may contain one type of liquid crystal compound or two or more types of liquid crystal compounds.
From the viewpoint of the design of the decorative film, the content of the liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 30% by mass to 99% by mass, more preferably 40% by mass to 99% by mass, even more preferably 60% by mass to 99% by mass, and particularly preferably 70% by mass to 98% by mass, relative to the total solid content in the liquid crystal composition.

-Non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer-
The liquid crystal composition may contain a non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer. When the liquid crystal composition contains a non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer, the crosslinking reaction of the liquid crystal compound during the formation of the first resin layer is promoted.
As the non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer, for example, a monomer or oligomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds and capable of addition polymerization upon irradiation with light can be used.
In the present disclosure, an oligomer refers to a polymer of a monomer and a compound having a degree of polymerization of 2 or more and 15 or less.
The non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer may be either monofunctional or polyfunctional.

The above-mentioned monomers and oligomers include compounds having at least one addition-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group in the molecule.
Examples of the above monomers and oligomers include monofunctional (meth)acrylates such as polyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, and phenoxyethyl (meth)acrylate; polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane diacrylate, neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, and the like. )acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate, hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(acryloyloxypropyl)ether, tri(acryloyloxyethyl)isocyanurate, tri(acryloyloxyethyl)cyanurate and glycerin tri(meth)acrylate; and polyfunctional (meth)acrylates such as compounds obtained by adding ethylene oxide or propylene oxide to polyfunctional alcohols such as trimethylolpropane and glycerin and then (meth)acrylating them.

Further, examples of the above-mentioned monomers and oligomers include polyfunctional (meth)acrylates such as urethane acrylate compounds described in JP-B-48-41708, JP-B-50-6034, JP-A-51-37193, etc.; polyester acrylate compounds described in JP-A-48-64183, JP-B-49-43191, JP-B-52-30490, etc.; and epoxy acrylate compounds which are reaction products of epoxy resins and (meth)acrylic acid.
Among the above compounds, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, or dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate is preferred.
In addition, "polymerizable compound B" described in JP-A-11-133600 is also a suitable example of the non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer.
The above monomers or oligomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In addition, cationic polymerizable monomers can also be used as the non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer. Examples include epoxy compounds, vinyl ether compounds, and oxetane compounds exemplified in JP-A-6-9714, JP-A-2001-31892, JP-A-2001-40068, JP-A-2001-55507, JP-A-2001-310938, JP-A-2001-310937, and JP-A-2001-220526.

Furthermore, as the cationic polymerizable monomer, a monofunctional or difunctional oxetane monomer can also be used.
Examples of monofunctional or bifunctional oxetane monomers include 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name OXT101, etc.), 1,4-bis[(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxymethyl]benzene (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name OXT121, etc.), 3-ethyl-3-(phenoxymethyl)oxetane (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name OXT211, etc.), di(1-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methyl ether (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name OXT221, etc.), and 3-ethyl- 3-(2-ethylhexyloxymethyl)oxetane (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name OXT212, etc.) and the like can be preferably used. In particular, any known monofunctional or polyfunctional oxetane compound can be used, such as 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane, 3-ethyl-3-(phenoxymethyl)oxetane, or di(1-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methyl ether, or the compounds described in JP-A No. 2001-220526 or JP-A No. 2001-310937, etc.

-Chiral compounds-
From the viewpoints of ease of forming a resin layer and ease of adjusting the helical pitch of the helical structure, the liquid crystal composition preferably contains a chiral compound. The chiral compound has a function of inducing a helical structure in the cholesteric liquid crystal compound.
The chiral compound may be selected according to the purpose, since the twist direction or pitch of the induced helix varies depending on the liquid crystal compound. The chiral compound is not particularly limited, and known compounds (for example, compounds described in "Liquid Crystal Device Handbook", Chapter 3, Section 4-3, Chiral Agents for TN (twisted nematic) and STN (super-twisted nematic), p. 199, edited by the 142nd Committee of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 1989), isosorbide, and isomannide derivatives can be used. Chiral compounds generally contain an asymmetric carbon atom, but axially asymmetric compounds or planarly asymmetric compounds that do not contain an asymmetric carbon atom can also be used as chiral compounds. Examples of axially asymmetric compounds or planarly asymmetric compounds include binaphthyl compounds, helicene compounds, and paracyclophane compounds.
Examples of the chiral compound include a photoisomerizable chiral compound and a polymerizable chiral compound.

Chiral compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

When the liquid crystal composition contains a chiral compound, from the viewpoint of more easily obtaining the desired reflection wavelength, the content of the chiral compound is preferably 1% by mass to 20% by mass, more preferably 1% by mass to 15% by mass, and even more preferably 1% by mass to 10% by mass, relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition.

--Photoisomerizable chiral compounds--
From the viewpoint of more easily adjusting the selective reflection wavelength, the liquid crystal composition preferably contains a photoisomerizable chiral compound as a chiral compound. The photoisomerizable chiral compound means a compound having a photoisomerizable structure and chirality in one molecule.

From the viewpoints of ease of photoisomerization and maintenance of the isomerized structure, the photoisomerizable chiral compound is preferably a compound whose three-dimensional structure changes upon exposure, more preferably has di- or more-substituted ethylenically unsaturated bonds whose EZ (Zussammammen, Entgegen) configuration isomerizes upon exposure, and particularly preferably has tri-substituted ethylenically unsaturated bonds whose EZ configuration isomerizes upon exposure.

When a photoisomerizable chiral compound is isomerized by exposure to light, it changes the orientation structure, such as the helical pitch (twisting force, helical twist angle) of the helical structure in the liquid crystal phase.
In addition, the photoisomerization ratio of the photoisomerizable chiral compound can be adjusted by the amount of exposure during exposure. The photoisomerization ratio of the photoisomerizable chiral compound can change the length of the helical pitch of the helical structure in the liquid crystal phase, thereby changing the selective reflection wavelength. The photoisomerization ratio means the ratio of the number of molecules of the photoisomerized photoisomerizable chiral compound to the total number of molecules of the photoisomerizable chiral compound.

In the present disclosure, the EZ configuration isomerization also includes cis-trans isomerization. In addition, the compound having the above-mentioned disubstituted ethylenically unsaturated bond is preferably a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond substituted with an aromatic group and an ester bond.

In addition, the photoisomerizable chiral compound may have only one photoisomerizable structure, or may have two or more photoisomerizable structures. From the viewpoint of ease of photoisomerization and maintenance of the isomerized structure, the photoisomerizable compound preferably has two or more photoisomerizable structures, more preferably has two to four photoisomerizable structures, and particularly preferably has two photoisomerizable structures.

Specifically, the photoisomerizable chiral compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (CH1):

The compound represented by the following formula (CH1) can change the orientation structure, such as the helical pitch (twisting force, helical twist angle) of the cholesteric liquid crystal phase, depending on the amount of light exposure during exposure.

In addition, the compound represented by the following formula (CH1) is a compound in which the EZ configuration in the two ethylenically unsaturated bonds can be isomerized by exposure to light.

In formula (CH1), Ar ^{1 CH1} and Ar ^{2 CH2} each independently represent an aryl group or a heteroaromatic ring group, and R ^{1 CH1} and R ^{2 CH2} each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a cyano group.

In formula (CH1), Ar ^{4 CH1} and Ar ^{4 CH2} each independently represent an aryl group.

The aryl groups in Ar ^CH1 and Ar ^CH2 in formula (CH1) may have a substituent and preferably have a total of 6 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably have a total of 6 to 30 carbon atoms. The substituent is preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a carboxy group, a cyano group, or a heterocyclic group, and more preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an acyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an aryloxycarbonyl group.

In formula (CH1), R ^{3 CH1} and R ^{3 CH2} are preferably each independently a cyano group.

Among them, Ar ^{1 CH1} and Ar 2 ^CH2 are preferably an aryl group represented by the following formula (CH2) or formula (CH3), and more preferably an aryl group represented by the following formula (CH2).

In formula (CH2) and formula (CH3), R ^CH3 and R ^CH4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a carboxy group, or a cyano group; L ^CH1 and L ^CH2 each independently represent a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a hydroxy group; nCH1 represents an integer of 0 to 4; nCH2 represents an integer of 0 to 6; and * represents the bonding position with respect to the ethylenically unsaturated bond in formula (CH1).

R ^CH3 and R ^CH4 in formula (CH2) and formula (CH3) are each independently preferably a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, or an acyloxy group, more preferably an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, or an acyloxy group, and particularly preferably an alkoxy group.

It is preferable that L ^CH1 and L ^CH2 in formula (CH2) and formula (CH3) are each independently an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a hydroxy group.

In formula (CH2), nCH1 is preferably 0 or 1, and more preferably 0.

In formula (CH3), nCH2 is preferably 0 or 1, and more preferably 0.

The heteroaromatic ring groups in Ar ^CH1 and Ar ^CH2 in formula (CH1) may have a substituent and preferably have a total of 4 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably have a total of 4 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of the substituent include preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, or a cyano group, and more preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, or an acyloxy group.

The heteroaromatic ring group is preferably a pyridyl group, a pyrimidinyl group, a furyl group, or a benzofuranyl group, and more preferably a pyridyl group or a pyrimidinyl group.

Preferred examples of the compound represented by formula (CH1) include the following compounds. The following compounds are compounds in which the configuration of each ethylenically unsaturated bond changes upon exposure to light.

A single photoisomerizable chiral compound may be used, or two or more types may be used in combination.

When the liquid crystal composition contains a photoisomerizable chiral compound, from the viewpoint of more easily obtaining the desired reflection wavelength, the content of the photoisomerizable chiral compound is preferably 0.5% by mass to 15% by mass, more preferably 1% by mass to 10% by mass, and even more preferably 2% by mass to 9% by mass, relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition.

--Polymerizable chiral compound--
From the viewpoint of more easily fixing the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal composition preferably contains a polymerizable chiral compound as the chiral compound. The polymerizable chiral compound means a chiral compound having a polymerizable group. The polymerizable chiral compound referred to here does not have a photoisomerizable structure and is distinguished from a photoisomerizable chiral compound.

Examples of the polymerizable group possessed by the polymerizable chiral compound include a radically polymerizable group and a cationic polymerizable group. The polymerizable group is preferably an ethylenically unsaturated group, an epoxy group, or an aziridinyl group, and more preferably an ethylenically unsaturated group.

The polymerizable chiral compound is preferably a compound containing an asymmetric carbon atom, but may be an axially asymmetric compound or a planarly asymmetric compound that does not contain an asymmetric carbon atom. Examples of axially asymmetric compounds or planarly asymmetric compounds include binaphthyl, helicene, paracyclophane, and derivatives thereof.

When the liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, it is preferable that the polymerizable chiral compound contains the same type of polymerizable group as the liquid crystal compound. For example, when the liquid crystal compound has a radical polymerizable group, it is preferable that the polymerizable chiral compound also contains a radical polymerizable group. This allows the liquid crystal compound having the polymerizable group and the polymerizable chiral compound to be polymerized to form a polymer, making it easier to fix the helical structure of the liquid crystal compound.

The polymerizable chiral compound is preferably an isosorbide derivative, an isomannide derivative, or a binaphthyl derivative. Commercially available isosorbide derivatives include, for example, "Paliocolor LC756" manufactured by BASF.

The polymerizable chiral compound may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

When the liquid crystal composition contains a polymerizable chiral compound, the content of the polymerizable chiral compound is preferably 0.5% by mass to 8% by mass, more preferably 1% by mass to 10% by mass, and even more preferably 1% by mass to 5% by mass, relative to the total solids content of the liquid crystal composition, from the viewpoint of more easily obtaining the desired reflection wavelength.

- Polymerization initiator -
The liquid crystal composition may contain a polymerization initiator. As the polymerization initiator, a known one may be selected and used, but a photopolymerization initiator is preferable, and a photopolymerization initiator that initiates a polymerization reaction by irradiation with ultraviolet light is more preferable. In addition, the photopolymerization initiator may be a photoradical polymerization initiator or a photocationic polymerization initiator.
Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include α-carbonyl compounds (described in the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670, etc.), acyloin ether compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828, etc.), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512, etc.), polynuclear quinone compounds (described in the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758, etc.), combinations of triarylimidazole dimers and p-aminophenyl ketones (described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367, etc.), acridine compounds and phenazine compounds (described in JP-A No. 60-105667 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,850, etc.), and oxadiazole compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970, etc.).

As the photoradical polymerization initiator, a known photoradical polymerization initiator can be used, and preferred examples of the photoradical polymerization initiator include an α-hydroxyalkylphenone compound, an α-aminoalkylphenone compound, an acylphosphine oxide compound, a thioxanthone compound, and an oxime ester compound.
Furthermore, as the cationic photopolymerization initiator, a known cationic photopolymerization initiator can be used, and preferred examples of the cationic photopolymerization initiator include an iodonium salt compound and a sulfonium salt compound.

The liquid crystal composition may contain one type of polymerization initiator, or may contain two or more types of polymerization initiators.
The content of the polymerization initiator in the liquid crystal composition is preferably selected appropriately depending on the structure of the liquid crystal compound used and the desired helical pitch of the helical structure to be formed. From the viewpoints of ease of adjusting the helical pitch of the helical structure, the polymerization rate, and the strength of the resin layer after curing, the content is preferably 0.05% by mass to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.05% by mass to 5% by mass, even more preferably 0.1% by mass to 4% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.2% by mass to 3% by mass, based on the total solid content in the liquid crystal composition.

- Crosslinking agent -
From the viewpoint of strength and durability of the resin layer after curing, the liquid crystal composition preferably contains a crosslinking agent. As the crosslinking agent, a crosslinking curing reaction that occurs by ultraviolet light, heat or humidity can be suitably used.
The type of crosslinking agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyfunctional acrylate compounds such as trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate and pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate; epoxy compounds such as glycidyl (meth)acrylate, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and 3',4'-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate; oxetane compounds such as 2-ethylhexyloxetane and xylylene bisoxetane; aziridine compounds such as 2,2-bishydroxymethylbutanol-tris[3-(1-aziridinyl)propionate] and 4,4-bis(ethyleneiminocarbonylamino)diphenylmethane; isocyanate compounds such as hexamethylene diisocyanate and biuret type isocyanate; polyoxazoline compounds having an oxazoline group in the side chain; and alkoxysilane compounds such as vinyltrimethoxysilane and N-(2-aminoethyl)3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.
Furthermore, a known catalyst can be contained in the liquid crystal composition depending on the reactivity of the crosslinking agent, which can improve the strength and durability of the resin layer as well as the productivity.

The liquid crystal composition may contain one type of crosslinking agent, or may contain two or more types of crosslinking agents.
From the viewpoint of the strength and durability of the first resin layer, the content of the crosslinking agent in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 1% by mass to 20% by mass, and more preferably 3% by mass to 15% by mass, relative to the total solid content in the liquid crystal composition.

-Polyfunctional polymerizable compound-
The liquid crystal composition preferably contains a polyfunctional polymerizable compound from the viewpoint of suppressing the change in reflectance after molding. The polyfunctional polymerizable compound includes the above-mentioned compounds, cholesteric liquid crystal compounds having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and no cyclic ether groups, cholesteric liquid crystal compounds having two or more cyclic ether groups and no ethylenically unsaturated groups, cholesteric liquid crystal compounds having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and two or more cyclic ether groups, chiral compounds having two or more polymerizable groups, and the above-mentioned crosslinking agent. The above-mentioned ethylenically unsaturated group is preferably a (meth)acrylic group or a (meth)acryloxy group, and more preferably a (meth)acryloxy group.
The cyclic ether group is preferably an epoxy group or an oxetanyl group, more preferably an oxetanyl group. Among the above-mentioned polyfunctional polymerizable compounds, a liquid crystal compound having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and not having a cyclic ether group, a liquid crystal compound having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and not having an ethylenically unsaturated group, or a chiral compound having two or more polymerizable groups is preferred, and a chiral compound having two or more polymerizable groups is more preferred.

From the viewpoint of suppressing changes in reflectance after molding, the content of the polyfunctional polymerizable compound in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 0.5% by mass to 70% by mass, more preferably 1% by mass to 50% by mass, and even more preferably 1.5% by mass to 20% by mass, relative to the total solid content in the liquid crystal composition.

-Other additives-
The liquid crystal composition may contain other additives as necessary.
As the other additives, known additives can be used, and examples thereof include a surfactant, a polymerization inhibitor, an antioxidant, a horizontal alignment agent, an ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, a colorant, and metal oxide particles.

-solvent-
The liquid crystal composition may contain a solvent. The solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but an organic solvent is preferably used.
Examples of the organic solvent include ketone compounds such as methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone, alkyl halide compounds, amide compounds, sulfoxide compounds, heterocyclic compounds, hydrocarbon compounds, ester compounds, ether compounds, and alcohol compounds. Among the above-mentioned organic solvents, ketone compounds are particularly preferred from the viewpoint of environmental load. The above-mentioned components may also function as a solvent.

The liquid crystal composition may contain one type of solvent or two or more types of solvents.
The solvent content in the cured resin layer is preferably 5 mass % or less, more preferably 3 mass % or less, even more preferably 2 mass % or less, and particularly preferably 1 mass % or less, relative to the total mass of the resin layer.

<Step of forming first resin layer>
In the step of forming the first resin layer, the liquid crystal layer on the substrate is subjected to a photoisomerization treatment so that the liquid crystal layer has two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region (specific region A) in which the wavelength with maximum reflectance is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and the liquid crystal layer is then hardened to form the first resin layer.
In addition, in the photoisomerization treatment, it is preferable that the liquid crystal layer has, in addition to the specific region A, a region (other region A) in which the wavelength with the maximum reflectance exists in the range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm.

The photoisomerization process is a process for photoisomerizing the photoisomerizable compound contained in the liquid crystal layer. In the photoisomerization process, in order to form two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, it is preferable to perform photoisomerization so that a difference in the photoisomerization rate occurs between the regions in the plane of the liquid crystal layer. Also, a part of the liquid crystal layer may be photoisomerized.
The photoisomerization ratio of the photoisomerizable compound is not particularly limited, and is preferably changed appropriately according to the color tone required for the decorative film. The progress of photoisomerization can be determined by measuring the wavelength at which the reflectance of the photoisomerized portion becomes maximum.
The photoisomerization ratio represents the ratio of the number of photoisomerized photoisomerizable compound molecules to the total number of molecules of the target photoisomerizable compound, and can be determined by measuring the maximum reflectance at the photoisomerization site.

In the photoisomerization process, the exposure intensity of the liquid crystal layer can be varied depending on the region. For example, photoisomerization can be achieved by exposing the liquid crystal layer to light with multiple step differences or a continuous stepless difference in the exposure intensity, or by exposing only a portion of the liquid crystal layer to light. The photoisomerization rate can also be controlled according to the exposure intensity.

In order to adjust the photoisomerization ratio for each region, the photoisomerization treatment step may be performed using a mask. The mask may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.
The mask is not particularly limited, and any known light-shielding means such as a mask can be used. For example, a mask that transmits different amounts of light between a portion of the liquid crystal layer that is photoisomerized and a portion that is not photoisomerized may be used, or a patterning mask in which the amount of transmitted light is not constant but varies depending on the portion (for example, a patterning mask shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, etc.) may be used.
The mask can be patterned using a method such as gravure printing, screen printing, a laser printer, or an inkjet printer.

The wavelength of light used for exposure in the photoisomerization treatment step is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected depending on the type of photoisomerization compound and the color tone required for the decorative film.
The wavelength of the light for exposure in the photoisomerization step is, for example, preferably 400 nm or less, more preferably 380 nm or less, and further preferably 300 nm to 380 nm.
The exposure wavelength in the photoisomerization step can be adjusted by known means and methods, such as a method using an optical filter, a method using two or more types of optical filters, and a method using a light source with a specific wavelength.
When a liquid crystalline composition containing a photopolymerization initiator is used to form the resin layer, the exposure in the photoisomerization step is preferably performed with light in a wavelength range in which no polymerization initiating species are generated from the photopolymerization initiator.
For example, a mask that transmits light in a wavelength range where photoisomerization of the photoisomerizable compound occurs and blocks light in a wavelength range where polymerization initiating species are generated from the photopolymerization initiator can be suitably used.

Specific examples of the light source include an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, etc. Furthermore, as the light source, a light emitting diode capable of emitting light in a narrow wavelength range can also be used.
The amount of exposure in the photoisomerization step is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set according to the color tone required for the decorative film. In addition, the amount of exposure may be changed in each part of the liquid crystal layer according to the desired photoisomerization ratio.
In addition, it is preferable to heat the film during the photoisomerization by exposure to light. The heating temperature is not particularly limited and may be selected depending on the photoisomerizable compound to be used, and may be, for example, 30° C. to 120° C.
The exposure method is not particularly limited as long as photoisomerization is possible, and for example, the method described in paragraphs 0035 to 0051 of JP-A-2006-23696 can be suitably used in the present disclosure.

The step of forming the first resin layer includes a step of curing the liquid crystal layer that has been subjected to the photoisomerization treatment.
By the curing, the cholesteric liquid crystal phase is fixed in a state in which the molecular orientation of the liquid crystal compound is maintained.
Curing of the liquid crystal layer preferably proceeds by a polymerization reaction of a compound having a polymerizable group, such as an ethylenically unsaturated group or a cyclic ether group, contained in the liquid crystal composition.
The liquid crystal layer may be cured by exposure to light or by heating, but is preferably cured by exposure to light.

The light source for exposure is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the type of photopolymerization initiator used, etc. For example, a light source capable of irradiating light in a wavelength range of 285 nm, 365 nm, or 405 nm may be preferably used, and specific examples thereof include an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, and a UV-LED light source.
The amount of exposure is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set, preferably from 5 mJ/cm ² to 2,000 mJ/cm ² , and more preferably from 10 mJ/cm ² to 1,000 mJ/cm ² .
In addition, in order to improve the alignment state formed during the curing by the exposure and to maintain the alignment state formed, it is preferable to heat the liquid crystal layer. The heating temperature is not particularly limited and may be selected depending on the composition of the liquid crystal layer to be cured, and may be, for example, 30° C. to 120° C.
Furthermore, not only the liquid crystal layer is cured by the exposure, but other layers such as a colored layer may also be cured by exposure, if necessary.
As an exposure method, for example, the method described in paragraphs 0035 to 0051 of JP-A No. 2006-23696 can be suitably used in the present disclosure.

When the liquid crystal layer is cured by heating, the heating temperature and heating time are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the thermal polymerization initiator used, etc. For example, the heating temperature is preferably 60°C to 200°C, and the heating time is preferably 1 minute to 2 hours. There are no particular limitations on the heating means, and known heating means can be used, such as a heater, oven, hot plate, infrared lamp, and infrared laser.

In addition, there is no restriction on the oxygen concentration of the environment in which the curing process is carried out, and the curing process may be carried out in an oxygen atmosphere, in the air, or in a low-oxygen atmosphere (preferably an oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm (parts per million) or less, i.e., an atmosphere containing no oxygen or more than 0 ppm and less than 1,000 ppm of oxygen). From the viewpoint of curing speed, the curing process is preferably carried out in a low-oxygen atmosphere, and more preferably under heating in a low-oxygen atmosphere.

<Step of forming alignment layer>
The step of forming the first resin layer may include the step of forming an alignment layer before the step of forming the liquid crystal layer.
The alignment layer may be formed by subjecting the substrate, the second resin layer or another resin layer disposed under the first resin layer to a rubbing treatment or the like, by forming a rubbed alignment layer on the substrate, or by forming a photoalignment layer on the substrate.

Rubbing treatment can generally be carried out by rubbing the surface of a film whose main component is a polymer with paper or cloth in a certain direction. General methods for rubbing treatment are described, for example, in "Liquid Crystal Handbook" (published by Maruzensha, October 30, 2000).

The rubbing density can be changed by the method described in "Liquid Crystal Handbook" (published by Maruzensha). The rubbing density (L) is quantified by the following formula (A).
Formula (A) L = Nl (1 + 2πrn / 60v)
In formula (A), N is the number of rubbings, l is the contact length of the rubbing roller, r is the radius of the roller, n is the number of rotations of the roller (rpm: rotations per minute), and v is the stage movement speed (per second).

To increase the rubbing density, the number of rubbings should be increased, the contact length of the rubbing roller should be increased, the radius of the roller should be increased, the number of rotations of the roller should be increased, and the stage movement speed should be slowed down. On the other hand, to decrease the rubbing density, the opposite should be done. In addition, the description in Japanese Patent No. 4052558 can be referred to for the conditions for the rubbing process.

The photoalignment layer can be formed by irradiating a layer containing a material such as the above-mentioned ester formed on a substrate with linearly polarized or unpolarized light.
By irradiating the linearly polarized light, a photoreaction can be caused in the photo-alignment material. The wavelength of the light used varies depending on the photo-alignment material used, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a wavelength necessary for the photoreaction. The light used for the photoirradiation is preferably light with a peak wavelength of 200 nm to 700 nm, more preferably ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of 400 nm or less.

Light sources used for light irradiation include known light sources, such as lamps such as tungsten lamps, halogen lamps, xenon lamps, xenon flash lamps, mercury lamps, mercury xenon lamps, and carbon arc lamps, various lasers (such as semiconductor lasers, helium-neon lasers, argon ion lasers, helium-cadmium lasers, and YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers), light-emitting diodes, and cathode ray tubes.

Methods for obtaining linearly polarized light include a method using a polarizing plate (e.g., an iodine polarizing plate, a dichroic dye polarizing plate, a wire grid polarizing plate, etc.), a method using a prism-based element (e.g., a Glan-Thompson prism, etc.) or a reflective polarizer that utilizes the Brewster angle, and a method using light emitted from a polarized laser light source. In addition, a filter or a wavelength conversion element, etc. may be used to selectively irradiate only light of the required wavelength.

When the light to be irradiated is linearly polarized, an example of the method is to irradiate the alignment layer from the top or back surface, perpendicular or oblique to the alignment layer surface. The angle of incidence of the light varies depending on the photoalignment material, but is preferably 0° to 90° (perpendicular) to the alignment layer, and more preferably 40° to 90°. When non-polarized light is used, non-polarized light is irradiated obliquely. The angle of incidence is preferably 10° to 80°, more preferably 20° to 60°, and particularly preferably 30° to 50°. The irradiation time is preferably 1 to 60 minutes, and more preferably 1 to 10 minutes.

<Step of forming second resin layer>
The step of forming the second resin layer can include a step of applying a liquid crystalline composition onto the first resin layer, heating the composition to form a liquid crystal layer, and a step of curing the liquid crystal layer.
The liquid crystal composition used to form the second resin layer may contain the above-mentioned materials that may be contained in the liquid crystal composition used to form the first resin layer.
The step of forming the second resin layer may include a step of subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment before curing, so that the liquid crystal layer has two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region (specific region B) in which the wavelength with maximum reflectance exists in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more. In the above step, the liquid crystal layer is preferably in a state in which, in addition to the specific region B, the liquid crystal layer has a region (other region B) in which the wavelength with maximum reflectance exists in the range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm.
Details and preferred aspects of each step are similar to those of the step of forming the first resin layer, and therefore will not be described here.

<Step of forming other resin layers>
The step of forming the other resin layer can include a step of applying a liquid crystalline composition onto the substrate, the first resin layer, or the second resin layer, heating the composition, and forming a liquid crystal layer, and a step of curing the liquid crystal layer.
The liquid crystal composition used to form the other resin layer may contain the above-mentioned materials that may be contained in the liquid crystal composition used to form the first resin layer.
The step of forming the other resin layer may include a step of performing a photoisomerization treatment on the liquid crystal layer before curing to form two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region (specific region C) in which the wavelength of maximum reflectance exists in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more. In the above step, the liquid crystal layer preferably has a region (other region B) in which the wavelength of maximum reflectance exists in the range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm, in addition to the specific region C.
Furthermore, when another resin layer is provided under the first resin layer, the step of forming the another resin layer may include a step of forming an alignment layer.
Details and preferred aspects of each step are similar to those of the step of forming the first resin layer, and therefore will not be described here.

<Step of forming colored layer>
The manufacturing method of the decorative film of the present disclosure can include a step of forming a colored layer. The colored layer can be formed, for example, by applying the above-mentioned material to the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the first resin layer or the like is provided, and drying the material.

(Method for manufacturing decorative film according to the second embodiment)
The method for producing a decorative film according to the present disclosure includes:
providing a liquid crystal material including a substrate and a second resin layer having cholesteric regularity;
forming a liquid crystal layer on the second resin layer, subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment to cause the liquid crystal layer to have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region with a wavelength of maximum reflectance in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and then curing the liquid crystal layer to form a first resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the second resin layer;
including.

The method for producing the decorative film of the present disclosure may also include a step of forming other resin layers.
The method for producing the decorative film of the present disclosure may also include a step of forming a colored layer.
The manufacturing method of the decorative film according to the second embodiment is similar to the manufacturing method of the decorative film according to the first embodiment, except that the step of forming the second resin layer can include a step of forming an orientation layer, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

(Molding)
The molded product according to the present disclosure is a molded product obtained by molding the decorative film according to the present disclosure. The shape of the molded product according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the application.
Moreover, the molded article according to the present disclosure is preferably a molded article obtained by molding a decorative film produced by the decorative film production method according to the present disclosure.
The molding method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include vacuum molding, vacuum and pressure molding, plug-assisted vacuum and pressure molding, in-mold molding, insert molding, cold molding, press molding, and draw molding.

The uses of the molded product according to the present disclosure are not particularly limited, and it can be used for various articles. For example, the interior and exterior of automobiles, the interior and exterior of electronic devices, and packaging containers are particularly suitable. Among the above, it is preferable to apply it to decorate the interior and exterior of automobiles, and it is more preferable to apply it to the exterior of automobiles.

(Electronic Devices)
An electronic device according to the present disclosure includes a decorative film according to the present disclosure.
The type of electronic device according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and examples include smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, etc. For the decoration of the above-mentioned electronic devices, a decorative film is preferably applied.
Furthermore, the electronic device according to the present disclosure may include known components used in electronic devices, such as elements, in addition to the decorative film according to the present disclosure.

(Automobile exterior panels)
The automotive exterior panel according to the present disclosure has a molded article according to the present disclosure. The shape of the automotive exterior panel according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and may be any desired shape.
The automobile exterior panel according to the present disclosure may have known components used in automobile exterior panels in addition to the molded product according to the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the disclosure. In addition, unless otherwise specified, "%" is based on mass.

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 1>
A liquid crystal composition 1 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 11.98 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 2: 5.99 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 3: 5.99 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2)
5.99 parts by mass of polymerizable chiral compound (BASF Corporation, Paliocolor LC756)
0.75 parts by weight of photoisomerizable chiral compound 1 2.40 parts by weight of photopolymerization initiator (IGM Resins, Omnirad 127)
0.30 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

The structure of liquid crystal compound 1 is shown below.

The structure of liquid crystal compound 2 is shown below.

The structure of liquid crystal compound 3 is shown below.

The structures of the liquid crystal compounds contained in the mixture 1 of liquid crystal compounds are shown below. The numbers shown indicate the contents (% by mass) in the mixture 1.

The structure of photoisomerizable chiral compound 1 is shown below.

The structure of Surfactant 1 is shown below.

The structure of Surfactant 2 is shown below.

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 2>
A liquid crystal composition 2 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 17.97 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 2: 5.99 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 3: 5.99 parts by mass Polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
0.75 parts by weight of photoisomerizable chiral compound 1 2.40 parts by weight of photopolymerization initiator (IGM Resins, Omnirad 127)
0.30 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 3>
A liquid crystal composition 3 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 12.37 parts by mass; liquid crystal compound 2: 6.18 parts by mass; liquid crystal compound 3: 6.18 parts by mass; liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2): 6.18 parts by mass; polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
2.16 parts by weight of photopolymerization initiator (Omnirad 127, manufactured by IGM Resins)
0.31 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 4>
A liquid crystal composition 4 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 18.64 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 2: 6.21 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 3: 6.21 parts by mass Polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
0.78 parts by mass of photoisomerizable chiral compound 1 1.24 parts by mass of photopolymerization initiator (IGM Resins, Omnirad 127)
0.31 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 5>
A liquid crystal composition 5 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 18.55 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 2: 6.18 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 3: 6.18 parts by mass Polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
0.77 parts by mass of photoisomerizable chiral compound 1 1.39 parts by mass of photopolymerization initiator (IGM Resins, Omnirad 127)
0.31 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 6>
A liquid crystal composition 6 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 19.02 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 2: 6.34 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 3: 6.34 parts by mass Photoisomerizable chiral compound 2: 1.36 parts by mass Photopolymerization initiator (Omnirad 127, manufactured by IGM Resins)
0.32 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

The structure of photoisomerizable chiral compound 2 is shown below.

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 7>
A liquid crystal composition 7 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 12.31 parts by mass; liquid crystal compound 2: 6.15 parts by mass; liquid crystal compound 3: 6.15 parts by mass; liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2): 6.15 parts by mass; polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
0.77 parts by mass of photoisomerizable chiral compound 1 1.54 parts by mass of photopolymerization initiator (Omnirad 127, manufactured by IGM Resins)
0.31 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Liquid Crystal Composition 8>
A liquid crystal composition 8 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2) 30.92 parts by mass Polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
2.16 parts by weight of photopolymerization initiator (Omnirad 127, manufactured by IGM Resins)
0.31 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Liquid Crystal Composition 9>
A liquid crystal composition 9 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2) 31.20 parts by mass Polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
1.87 parts by weight of photopolymerization initiator (Omnirad 127, manufactured by IGM Resins)
0.31 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 10>
A liquid crystal composition 10 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound 1: 18.13 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 2: 6.04 parts by mass Liquid crystal compound 3: 6.04 parts by mass Polymerizable chiral compound (BASF, Paliocolor LC756)
0.76 parts by weight of photoisomerizable chiral compound 2.12 parts by weight of photopolymerization initiator (IGM Resins, Omnirad 127)
0.30 parts by weight Surfactant 1 0.10 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.01 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 11>
A liquid crystal composition 11 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2) 30.79 parts by mass Polymerizable photoisomerizable chiral compound 1.45 parts by mass Photopolymerization initiator 1.23 parts by mass (diethylthioxanthone, manufactured by FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
Surfactant 1 0.02 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.02 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

The structure of the polymerizable photoisomerizable chiral compound is shown below.

<Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 12>
A liquid crystal composition 12 having the following formulation was prepared.
Liquid crystal compound mixture 1 (mass ratio 83:15:2) 29.10 parts by mass Photoisomerizable chiral compound 3 3.20 parts by mass Photopolymerization initiator 1.16 parts by mass (diethylthioxanthone, manufactured by FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
Surfactant 1 0.01 parts by weight Surfactant 2 0.02 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 46.55 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 19.95 parts by weight

The structure of isomerized chiral compound 3 is shown below.

<Preparation of patterning mask>
Patterning masks 1 to 4 shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 were prepared.
The patterning mask 1 shown in FIG. 9 is a mask in which the light transmittance is 100% near the center and gradually decreases to 0% toward both ends.
The patterning mask 2 shown in FIG. 10 is a mask in which the light transmittance is 100% at both ends and gradually changes to 0% toward the center.
The patterning mask 3 shown in FIG. 11 is a mask in which the light transmittance at one end is 100% and changes continuously to 0% towards the other end.
The patterning mask 4 shown in FIG. 12 is a mask in which the light transmittance is 0% on one side and 100% on the other side, with the center as the boundary.

In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, the "wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum" was measured as follows.
For the first resin layer, etc., a spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, V-670) equipped with a large integrating sphere device (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, ILV-471) is used to irradiate light with a wavelength of 300 nm to 1500 nm into the above-mentioned region, and the integrated reflectance is measured to obtain a spectral waveform.
The wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum in the peak of the above spectrum waveform was defined as the "wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum." When multiple peaks exist, the peak containing the reflectance with the maximum value was used.

<<Example 1>>
A laminate of a methacrylic resin film and a polycarbonate resin film (manufactured by Sumika Acrylic Sales Co., Ltd., Technoloy (registered trademark) C000, thickness 100 μm) was prepared to have a size of 21 cm × 30 cm as the substrate 40. The surface of the substrate facing the methacrylic resin film was subjected to a corona discharge treatment at a condition of 75 W min / m ² .

An alignment layer was formed by applying an alignment layer-forming composition having the following composition using a wire bar (number #10) to the corona discharge-treated surface of the substrate 40 and then drying at 100° C. for 2 minutes.
--Composition of the composition for forming the alignment layer--
Modified polyvinyl alcohol 10.00 parts by weight Water 55.00 parts by weight Methanol 35.00 parts by weight

The structure of modified polyvinyl alcohol is shown below. The numbers to the right of each structural unit indicate the molar ratio.

Next, the formed orientation layer was subjected to a rubbing treatment (rayon cloth, pressure 0.98 N, rotation speed 1,000 rpm, conveying speed 10 m/min, once) in a direction rotated 3° counterclockwise from the short side direction.

The liquid crystal composition 1 prepared above was applied onto the rubbed alignment layer using a wire bar (no. 5) and heated at 85°C for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

A patterning mask 1 was attached to the side of the substrate opposite to the side on which the liquid crystal layer was formed. Next, light was irradiated from the mask side using a metal halide lamp (manufactured by GS Yuasa Corp., MAL625NAL, irradiation wavelength 200 nm to 500 nm) so as to achieve an exposure dose of 30 mJ/ ^cm2 , thereby carrying out a photoisomerization treatment of the liquid crystal layer in the unmasked area.

Next, the mask was removed, and the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a first resin layer 10a having a thickness of 3 μm.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the first resin layer 10a, a region (specific region A11a) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 350 nm to 380 nm, and a region (other region A12a) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 381 nm to 450 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer was visually observed, the specific region A11a was transparent from one end (the left end in Figure 13) of the first resin layer 10a to the boundary with the other region A12a, and the other region A12a from the above boundary to the boundary with the other specific region A11a (hereinafter also referred to as the other boundary) displayed a color that changed in a gradation from purple to blue, and the other specific region A11a was transparent from the other boundary to the other end of the first resin layer 10a (the right end in Figure 13).

The above liquid crystal composition 4 was applied onto the formed first resin layer using a wire bar (no. 7) and heated at 85°C for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

A patterning mask 2 was attached to the liquid crystal layer. Next, light was irradiated from the mask side using the metal halide lamp so as to achieve an exposure amount of 60 mJ/ ^cm2 , thereby performing a photoisomerization treatment on the liquid crystal layer in the unmasked area.

Next, the mask was removed, and the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a second resin layer 20a having a thickness of 4 μm.
In the second resin layer 20a, as shown in FIG. 13, a region (specific region B21a) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 800 nm to 850 nm, and a region (other region B22a) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 650 nm to 799 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the second resin layer was visually observed, the specific region B21a was transparent from one end (the left end in Figure 13) of the second resin layer 20a to the boundary with the other region B22a, and the other region B22a from the above boundary to the boundary with the other specific region B21a (hereinafter also referred to as the other boundary) displayed a color that changed in a gradation from red to reddish purple, and the other specific region B21 was transparent from the other boundary to the other end of the second resin layer 20a (the right end in Figure 13).

A black paint (REAL Mirror Black, manufactured by Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.) was applied to the side of the substrate opposite to the side on which the first resin layer etc. were formed using a wire bar (grit #24) and dried at a temperature of 80°C for 2 minutes to form a colored layer 30 having a thickness of 10 μm, thereby obtaining a decorative film 1a.
When the decorative film 1a was visually observed, the black color of the colored layer was confirmed at both ends. Also, the central portion of the decorative film 1a displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone from blue to magenta to red in that order.
The first resin layer 10a and the second resin layer 20a included in the decorative film 1a both reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.

The total light transmittance of the colored layer 30 formed as described above was measured using a spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Corporation, spectrophotometer UV-2100) in accordance with JIS K 7375 published in 2008, and was found to be 0.06%.

<<Example 2>>
A first resin layer 10b was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the patterning mask 1 was changed to a patterning mask 3 and the exposure dose in the photoisomerization treatment was changed to 45 mJ/cm ² .
In the first resin layer 10b, as shown in FIG. 14, a region (specific region A11b) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 350 nm to 380 nm, and a region (other region A12b) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 381 nm to 550 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer 10b was visually observed, the specific area A11b from one end of the first resin layer 10b (the left end in FIG. 14) to the boundary with the other area A12b was transparent, while the other area A12b from the boundary to the other end of the first resin layer 10b (the right end in FIG. 14) displayed a color that changed in a gradation from purple to green.

In the formation of the second resin layer 20b, the patterning mask 3 was used instead of the patterning mask 2, and the photoisomerization treatment was performed so that the exposure dose was 90 mJ/cm ^2. In the same manner as in Example 1, the second resin layer 20b was formed and the decorative film 1b was manufactured. The patterning mask 3 was used in the direction opposite to the direction of the transmittance change used in the formation of the first resin layer 10b.
In the second resin layer 20b, as shown in FIG. 14, a region (specific region B21b) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 800 nm to 950 nm, and a region (other region B22b) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 650 nm to 799 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the second resin layer 20b was visually observed, the specific region B21b from one end (the left end in FIG. 14) of the second resin layer 20b to the boundary with the other region B22b was transparent, while the other region B22b from the boundary to the other end (the right end in FIG. 14) of the second resin layer 20b displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone from red to reddish purple.
The first resin layer 10b and the second resin layer 20b included in the decorative film 1b both reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.

When the decorative film 1b was visually observed, the black color of the colored layer was confirmed at the one end. In addition, the decorative film 1b displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone in the order of blue, blue-green, and yellow, following the area where the colored layer was visible.

<<Example 3>>
A decorative film 1c was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that liquid crystalline composition 6 was used instead of liquid crystalline composition 4 in forming the second resin layer.
In the second resin layer 20c, as shown in FIG. 15, a region (specific region B21c) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 800 nm to 850 nm, and a region (other region B22c) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 650 nm to 799 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the second resin layer 20c was visually observed, the specific region B21c was transparent from one end (the left end in Figure 15) of the second resin layer 20c to the boundary with the other region B22c, and the other region B22c from the above-mentioned boundary to the boundary with the other specific region B21c (hereinafter also referred to as the other boundary) displayed a color that changed in a gradation from red to reddish purple, and the other specific region B21c was transparent from the other boundary to the other end of the second resin layer 20c (the right end in Figure 15).
When the decorative film 1c was visually observed, the black color of the colored layer was confirmed at both ends. Also, the central portion of the decorative film 1c displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone from blue to magenta to red in that order.
The first resin layer 10a included in the decorative film 1c reflects right-handed circularly polarized light, and the second resin layer 20c reflects left-handed circularly polarized light.

<<Example 4>>
A first resin layer 10d was formed on a substrate 40 in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the liquid crystal composition 2 was used instead of the liquid crystal composition 1.
In the first resin layer 10d, as shown in FIG. 16, a region (specific region A11d) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 350 nm to 380 nm, and a region (other region A12d) where the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum is in the range of 381 nm to 450 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer 10d was visually observed, the specific region A11d was transparent from one end (the left end in Figure 16) of the first resin layer 10d to the boundary with the other region A12d, and the other region A12d from the above boundary to the boundary with the other specific region A11d (hereinafter also referred to as the other boundary) displayed a color that changed in a gradation from purple to blue, and the other specific region A11d was transparent from the other boundary to the other end of the first resin layer 10d (the right end in Figure 16).

The substrate used in Example 1 (hereinafter referred to as the other substrate) was prepared separately, and a rubbed alignment layer was formed on one side in the same manner as in Example 1. Note that the substrate was not subjected to corona discharge treatment.

On the rubbed alignment layer formed as described above, a second resin layer 20a was formed in the same manner as in Example 1. One side of a 25 μm thick OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) film 60 (G25, manufactured by Nikkei Shinka Co., Ltd.) was bonded to the second resin layer 20a, and then the first resin layer 10d formed on the substrate as described above was bonded to the other side of the OCA film. After the above bonding, the other substrate was peeled off.

A colored layer 30 was formed on the side of the substrate 40 opposite to the side on which the first resin layer 10d and the like were formed, in the same manner as in Example 1, to obtain a decorative film 1d.
When the decorative film 1d was visually observed, the black color of the colored layer was confirmed at both ends. Also, the central portion of the decorative film 1d displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone from blue to magenta to red in that order.
The first resin layer and the second resin layer included in the decorative film 1d both reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.

<<Example 5>>
A decorative film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the wire bar used to form the first resin layer was changed to one with a count of #3.5, and the wire bar used to form the second resin layer was changed to one with a count of #4. The thickness of the first resin layer was 2 μm, and the thickness of the second resin layer was 2.5 μm.

<<Example 6>>
In forming the second resin layer, the patterning mask 3 was used in the same direction as the direction of the transmittance change used in forming the first resin layer, and a photoisomerization treatment was performed so that the exposure dose was 30 mJ/ ^cm2 . The decorative film 1e was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 2.
In the second resin layer 20e, as shown in FIG. 17, a region (other region B22e) in which the wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum exists in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm was confirmed.
In addition, when the second resin layer 20e was visually observed, it displayed a color that changed in a gradation from orange to red from one end of the second resin layer 20e (the left end in FIG. 17) to the other end (the right end in FIG. 17).
The first resin layer 10b and the second resin layer 20e included in the decorative film 1e both reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.
Furthermore, when the decorative film 1e was visually observed, it displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone in the order of orange and magenta.

<<Example 7>>
In the same manner as in Example 1, a rubbed alignment layer was formed on the corona treated surface of the substrate 40 .
Next, on the rubbed alignment layer, liquid crystal composition 3 was applied using a wire bar (number #5), and heated at a temperature of 85° C. for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

Next, the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure amount of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a second resin layer 20f as shown in FIG. 18.
In the second resin layer 20f, a region (other region B22f) in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved is 450 nm was identified.
Furthermore, when the second resin layer 20f was visually observed, it displayed a blue color.

The above liquid crystal composition 4 was applied onto the second resin layer 20f using a wire bar (no. 7) and heated at 85°C for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

A patterning mask 4 was attached to the liquid crystal layer. Next, light was irradiated from the mask side using the metal halide lamp so as to achieve an exposure amount of 60 mJ/ ^cm2 , thereby performing a photoisomerization treatment on the liquid crystal layer in the unmasked area.

Next, the mask was removed, and the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a first resin layer 10f.
In the first resin layer 10f, as shown in FIG. 18, a region (specific region A11f) where the wavelength of maximum reflectance is 850 nm and a region (other region A12f) where the wavelength of maximum reflectance is 650 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer was visually observed, the specific area A11f displayed a transparent color from one end of the first resin layer 10f (the left end in FIG. 18) to the boundary with the other area A12f, and displayed a red color from the boundary to the other end of the first resin layer 10f (the right end in FIG. 18).
The first resin layer 10f and the second resin layer 20f both reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.

Similarly to Example 1, a colored layer 30 was formed on the side of the substrate 40 opposite to the side on which the second resin layer 20f and the like were formed, thereby obtaining a decorative film 1f.
When the decorative film 1f was visually observed, an area displaying blue and an area displaying magenta were observed, with the center as a boundary.

<<Example 8>>
A decorative film 1g shown in Fig. 19 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a patterning mask 3 was used in forming the first resin layer and the second resin layer. In forming the second resin layer 20g, the patterning mask 3 was used in the direction opposite to the direction of the transmittance change used in forming the first resin layer 10g.
When the decorative film 1g was visually observed, the one end portion was confirmed to be black, which is the color of the colored layer 30. In addition, the decorative film 1g displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone in the order of purple and magenta, following the region where the colored layer 30 was visible.

<<Example 9>>
A first resin layer 10a having a thickness of 2.5 μm was formed on the rubbed alignment layer in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the wire bar used to form the first resin layer was changed to one with a wire size of #4.5.

A second resin layer 20h having a thickness of 3.5 μm was formed on the first resin layer 10a in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the wire bar used to form the second resin layer was changed to one with a count of # ⁶ , the liquid crystalline composition 4 was changed to the liquid crystalline composition 7, and the exposure dose in the photoisomerization treatment was changed to 120 mJ/cm2.
In the second resin layer 20h, as shown in FIG. 20, a region (specific region B21h) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 800 nm to 950 nm, and a region (other region B22h) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 550 nm to 799 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the second resin layer 20h was visually observed, the specific region B21h was transparent from one end (the left end in Figure 20) of the second resin layer 20h to the boundary with the other region B22h, and the other region B22h from the above-mentioned boundary to the boundary with the other specific region B21h (hereinafter also referred to as the other boundary) displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone from green to reddish purple, and the other specific region B21h was transparent from the other boundary to the other end of the second resin layer 20h (the right end in Figure 20).

The above liquid crystal composition 7 was applied onto the formed second resin layer 20h using a wire bar (no. 6) and heated at a temperature of 85°C for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

A patterning mask 2 was attached to the liquid crystal layer. Next, light was irradiated from the mask side using the metal halide lamp so as to achieve an exposure amount of 60 mJ/ ^cm2 , thereby performing a photoisomerization treatment on the liquid crystal layer in the unmasked area.

Next, the mask was removed, and the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a third resin layer 50a having a thickness of 3.5 μm.
In the third resin layer 50a, as shown in FIG. 20, a region (specific region C51a) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 800 nm to 850 nm, and a region (other region C52a) where the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is obtained is in the range of 650 nm to 799 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the third resin layer 50a was visually observed, the specific region C51a was transparent from one end (the left end in FIG. 20) of the third resin layer 50a to the boundary with the other region C52a, the other region C52a from the above-mentioned boundary to the boundary with the other specific region C51a (hereinafter also referred to as the other boundary) displayed a color that changed in a gradation from red to reddish purple, and the other specific region C51a was transparent from the other boundary to the other end of the third resin layer 50a (the right end in FIG. 20).
The first resin layer 10a, the second resin layer 20h, and the third resin layer 50a all reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.

A colored layer 30 was formed on the side of the substrate 40 opposite to the side on which the first resin layer 10a and the like were formed, in the same manner as in Example 1, to obtain a decorative film 1h.
When the decorative film 1h was visually observed, the black color of the colored layer was confirmed at both ends. Also, the central portion of the decorative film 1h displayed a gradation of colors in the order of magenta, white, and red.

<<Example 10>>
In the same manner as in Example 1, a rubbed alignment layer was formed on the corona treated surface of the substrate 40 .
Next, liquid crystal composition 12 was applied onto the rubbed alignment layer using a wire bar (number #5), and heated at a temperature of 85° C. for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

Next, the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure amount of 800 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a second resin layer 20i as shown in FIG. 21 .
In the second resin layer 20i, a region (other region B22i) in which the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum exists is confirmed to be 450 nm. Furthermore, when the second resin layer 20i is visually observed, it displays a blue color.

The above liquid crystal composition 11 was applied onto the second resin layer 20i using a wire bar (no. 7) and heated at 85°C for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

A patterning mask 4 was attached to the liquid crystal layer. Next, light was irradiated from the mask side using the metal halide lamp so as to achieve an exposure dose of 25 mJ/ ^cm2 , thereby carrying out a photoisomerization treatment of the liquid crystal layer in the unmasked area.

Next, the mask was removed, and the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the hot plate. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure amount of 800 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a first resin layer 10i.
In the first resin layer 10i, as shown in FIG. 21, a region (specific region A11i) where the wavelength of maximum reflectance is 850 nm and a region (other region A12i) where the wavelength of maximum reflectance is 650 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer was visually observed, the specific area A11i displayed a transparent color from one end of the first resin layer 10i (the left end in FIG. 21) to the boundary with the other area A12i, and displayed a red color from the boundary to the other end of the first resin layer 10i (the right end in FIG. 21).
The first resin layer 10i reflects right-handed circularly polarized light, and the second resin layer 20i reflects left-handed circularly polarized light.

Similarly to Example 1, a colored layer 30 was formed on the side of the substrate 40 opposite to the side on which the second resin layer 20i and the like were formed, thereby obtaining a decorative film 1i.
When the decorative film 1i was visually observed, an area displaying blue and an area displaying magenta were observed, with the center as a boundary.

<<Example 11>>
In the same manner as in Example 10, a first resin layer 10j was formed on a substrate 40.
In the first resin layer 10ij, as shown in FIG. 22, a region (specific region A11j) where the wavelength of maximum reflectance is 850 nm and a region (other region A12j) where the wavelength of maximum reflectance is 650 nm were confirmed.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer was visually observed, the specific area A11j displayed a transparent color from one end of the first resin layer 10j (the left end in FIG. 22) to the boundary with the other area A12j, and displayed a red color from the boundary to the other end of the first resin layer 10j (the right end in FIG. 22).

The substrate used in Example 1 (hereinafter referred to as the other substrate) was prepared separately, and a rubbed alignment layer was formed on one side in the same manner as in Example 1. Note that the substrate was not subjected to corona discharge treatment.

On the rubbed alignment layer formed as described above, a second resin layer 20j was formed in the same manner as in Example 10. One side of an OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) film 60 (G25, manufactured by Nikkei Shinka Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 25 μm was laminated onto the second resin layer 20j, and then the first resin layer 10j formed on the substrate as described above was laminated onto the other side of the OCA film. After the above-mentioned lamination, the other substrate was peeled off.
In addition, a region (other region B22j) in which the wavelength at which the reflectance becomes maximum exists at 450 nm was confirmed in the second resin layer 20j. Furthermore, when the second resin layer 20j was visually observed, it displayed a blue color.

A colored layer 30 was formed on the side of the substrate 40 opposite to the side on which the first resin layer 10j and the like were formed, in the same manner as in Example 1, to obtain a decorative film 1j.
When the decorative film 1j was visually observed, an area displaying blue and an area displaying magenta were observed, with the center as the boundary.

<<Comparative Example 1>>
In the same manner as in Example 1, a rubbed alignment layer was formed on the corona-treated surface of the substrate.
Next, on the rubbed alignment layer, liquid crystal composition 8 was applied using a wire bar (no. 2.5), and heated at a temperature of 85° C. for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.
Next, the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer and form a first resin layer having a thickness of 1.5 μm.
In the first resin layer, a region (other region B22) in which the wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved is 450 nm was identified.
Furthermore, when the first resin layer was visually observed, it displayed a blue color.

The substrate used in Example 1 (hereinafter referred to as the other substrate) was prepared separately, and a rubbed alignment layer was formed on one side in the same manner as in Example 1. Note that the substrate was not subjected to corona discharge treatment.

On the thus-formed rubbed alignment layer, liquid crystal composition 9 was applied using a wire bar (no. 3.5), and heated at 85° C. for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.
Next, the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85° C. so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer and form a second resin layer having a thickness of 2 μm.
In the second resin layer, a region in which the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum exists is confirmed to be 550 nm.
Furthermore, when the second resin layer was visually observed, it displayed a greenish color.
The first resin layer and the second resin layer included in the decorative film both reflect right-handed circularly polarized light.

One side of the OCA film was laminated onto the second resin layer, and then the first resin layer formed on the substrate as described above was laminated onto the other side of the OCA film. After the lamination, the other substrate was peeled off to obtain a decorative film.
When the decorative film was visually observed, it displayed a single color of cyan.

<<Comparative Example 2>>
In the same manner as in Example 1, a rubbed alignment layer was formed on the corona-treated surface of the substrate.
Next, the liquid crystal composition 10 was applied onto the rubbed alignment layer using a wire bar (no. 3.5), and heated at a temperature of 85° C. for 2 minutes to form a liquid crystal layer.

A patterning mask 3 was attached to the liquid crystal layer. Next, light was irradiated from the mask side using the metal halide lamp so as to achieve an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 , thereby carrying out a photoisomerization treatment of the liquid crystal layer in the unmasked area.

Next, the substrate on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was placed on a hot plate at 85°C so that the substrate surface opposite to the surface on which the liquid crystal layer was formed was in contact with the substrate surface. In a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration of 1,000 ppm or less), light was irradiated using the metal halide lamp to an exposure dose of 100 mJ/ ^cm2 to harden the liquid crystal layer and form a first resin layer having a thickness of 2 µm, thereby forming a decorative film.
In the first resin layer, a region in which the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum exists in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm was confirmed.
Furthermore, when the decorative film was visually observed, it displayed a color that changed in a gradational tone from one end to the other end in the order of blue, green and red.

<<Comparative Example 3>>
A decorative film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the colored layer 30 was not formed.
When the decorative film was visually observed, both ends were transparent from the ends toward the center, while the center displayed a gradational color change in the order of blue, magenta, and red.

[Design evaluation]
The decorative films produced in the examples and comparative examples were visually observed and evaluated for design based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: A color of 2 or more was confirmed, and the presence of a visible colored layer area was confirmed, confirming excellent design.
B: The presence of a visible colored layer area was not confirmed, but two or more colors were confirmed, confirming high design quality.
C: Only one color was observed.

[Visibility evaluation]
The decorative films produced in the examples and comparative examples were visually observed and evaluated for visibility based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: The displayed color was well developed and excellent visibility was confirmed.
B: There is room for improvement in visibility.
C: The displayed color was not well developed and visibility was poor.

[Brilliance evaluation]
The decorative films produced in the examples and comparative examples were measured for in-plane average reflectance, and the glittering was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.
The in-plane average reflectance was measured as follows.
A spectrophotometer (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, V-670) equipped with a large integrating sphere device (manufactured by JASCO Corporation, ILV-471) was used to irradiate light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 1500 nm from a vertical direction (an angle of 90° relative to the surface of the resin layer) onto the outermost resin layer of the decorative film (for example, the second resin layer in Example 1), and the peak wavelength was read from the obtained spectrum to obtain the reflectance at the peak wavelength.
The reflectance at the peak wavelength was measured over the entire surface of the outermost resin layer, and the average was taken as the in-plane average reflectance.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: The average in-plane reflectance was 30% or more.
B: The average in-plane reflectance was 20% or more and less than 30%.
C: The average in-plane reflectance was less than 20%.

[Evaluation of total thickness of resin layer]
The total thickness of the resin layers included in the decorative films produced in the Examples and Comparative Examples was determined and evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2. In addition, when an OCA film was present between the resin layers, the thickness of this film was also added to the total thickness.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: The total thickness was less than 10 μm.
B: The total thickness was 10 μm or more and less than 25 μm.
C: The total thickness was 25 μm or more.

[Evaluation of interference fringe suppression]
The decorative films produced in the examples and comparative examples were visually observed and evaluated for their ability to suppress the occurrence of interference fringes based on the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.
(Evaluation criteria)
A: No interference fringes were observed.
B: The occurrence of interference fringes was confirmed.

From the results of the above examples, it was found that the decorative film disclosed herein has high visibility, can display a wide variety of color changes, and has excellent design properties.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-157926, filed on September 18, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims (13)

a first resin layer having cholesteric regularity, the first resin layer having two or more regions in the same plane, the wavelengths at which the reflectance is maximized being different, and the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximized in at least one of the regions being in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
a second resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer;
A colored layer;
At least
the second resin layer has two or more regions in the same plane, each region having a different wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum, and the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum in at least one region is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
a region in which the wavelength at which the first resin layer has a maximum reflectance exists in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
The decorative film is provided at a position at which the decorative film at least partially overlaps with a region of the second resin layer where the wavelength at which the reflectance of the second resin layer is maximum is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more . The decorative film according to claim 1, wherein the first resin layer has, as at least one of the two or more regions having different wavelengths at which the maximum reflectance is achieved, a region having a wavelength at which the maximum reflectance is achieved that is in the range of more than 380 nm and less than 800 nm. The decorative film according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an average in-plane reflectance is 20% or more. The decorative film according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the first resin layer and the second resin layer are laminated adjacent to each other. The decorative film according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the first resin layer and the second resin layer reflect circularly polarized light in the same direction. providing a liquid crystal material comprising a substrate and a liquid crystal layer;
a step of subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment to cause the liquid crystal layer to have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region with a wavelength of maximum reflectance in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and then curing the liquid crystal layer to form a first resin layer having cholesteric regularity;
forming a second resin layer on the first resin layer, the second resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the first resin layer;
forming a color layer ;
the second resin layer has two or more regions in the same plane, each region having a different wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum, and the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum in at least one region is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
a region in which the wavelength at which the first resin layer has a maximum reflectance exists in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
a region where the wavelength at which the second resin layer has a maximum reflectance is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and the region where the second resin layer has a maximum reflectance is at least partially overlapped with the region where the wavelength at which the second resin layer has a maximum reflectance is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more . providing a liquid crystal material including a substrate and a second resin layer having cholesteric regularity;
forming a liquid crystal layer on the second resin layer, subjecting the liquid crystal layer to a photoisomerization treatment to cause the liquid crystal layer to have two or more regions with different wavelengths of maximum reflectance, including at least one region with a wavelength of maximum reflectance in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more, and then curing the liquid crystal layer to form a first resin layer having a cholesteric regularity different from that of the second resin layer;
forming a color layer ;
the second resin layer has two or more regions in the same plane, each region having a different wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum, and the wavelength at which the reflectance is maximum in at least one region is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
a region in which the wavelength at which the first resin layer has a maximum reflectance exists in a range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more;
The second resin layer is provided at a position at which it at least partially overlaps with a region in which the wavelength at which the second resin layer has maximum reflectance is in the range of 380 nm or less or 800 nm or more . The method for producing a decorative film according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed from a liquid crystal composition containing a monofunctional liquid crystal compound. The method for producing a decorative film according to claim 8 , wherein the liquid crystal composition contains at least one of a polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and a polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer. The method for producing a decorative film according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of the content of the monofunctional liquid crystal compound to the sum of the content of the polyfunctional liquid crystal compound and the polyfunctional non-liquid crystal polymerizable monomer in the liquid crystal composition is 85:15 to 40:60 by mass . A molded product obtained by molding the decorative film according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . An electronic device comprising the decorative film according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . An automobile exterior panel comprising the molding according to claim 11 .