BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
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The present invention relates to an optically functional
minute structure which can show a color by reflection and
interference of light rays, and more particularly to fibers and
chips of the optically functional minute structure, which are
usable as the material of woven fabrics and painting to provide
them with an optical function.
2. Description of the Prior Art
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Hitherto, for applying a color tone to various fibers, building
materials and paintings and for reflecting ultraviolet and infrared
rays, various attempts have been carried out, one being usage of
inorganic and/or organic dyes and pigments, and the other being
usage of light sparkling material, such as aluminum flake, mica
flake and the like which are dispersed into paintings and/or fibers.
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However, nowadays, with user's tendency to high quality,
there are increasing demands for graceful and high quality
impressive fabric products and painting which have, for example,
colors varying with a change in the view angle. To satisfy such
demands, some measures have been proposed, one being to
provide a minute structure which shows a color by practically
using light reflection, interference, diffraction and/or scattering
without using dyes and pigments, and the other being to provide
a minute structure which shows a deeper and brighter color by
combining the above-mentioned optical action and the dyes and
pigments.
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These measures are described in for example, Japanese
Patent Second Provisional Publication 43-14185, Japanese Patent
First Provisional Publication 1-139803, Journal of the Textile
Machinery Society of Japan (Vol. 42, No.2, p. 55, published in
1989 and Vol. 42, No.2, p. 160, published in 1989), Japanese
Patent First Provisional Publication 59-228042, Japanese Patent
Second Provisional Publication 60-24847, Japanese Patent
Second Provisional Publication 63-64535, Japanese Patent First
Provisional Publication 62-170510, Japanese Patent First
Provisional Publication 63-120642, Japanese First Provisional
Publication 6-017349, Japanese Patent First Provisional
Publication 7-034324 and Japanese Patent First Provisional
Publication 7-195603.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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It is an object of the present invention to provide an
optically functional minute structure which can satisfy the users.
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It is another object of the present invention to provide an
optically functional minute structure which has improved
characteristics in reflection and interference to visible light ray
and in reflection to infrared and ultraviolet rays.
-
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
an optically functional minute structure which is provided by
improving an optically functional minute structure as disclosed in
the above-mentioned Japanese First Provisional Publication 7-034324.
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It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
optically functional minute structure which can be manufactured
through a simple production method.
-
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
a woven fabric which uses such optically functional minute
structures as fibers.
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According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a minute structure having at least one of optical
functions including a reflection/interference function to visible
light ray, a reflection function to infrared ray and a reflection
function to ultraviolet ray. The minute structure comprises a
plurality of first and second polymer layers which are alternately
put on one another in the direction of the thickness to constitute
a layer unit, each first polymer layer having an optical refractive
index "na" and a thickness "da", and each second polymer layer
having an optical refractive index "nb" and a thickness "db",
wherein the minute structure is formed to satisfy the following
condition: under the conditions of "1.3 ≤ na" and "1.01 ≤ nb/na ≤
1.40", the peak wavelength "λ1" of primary reflection satisfies
the following formula: λ1 = 2 x (na·da + nb·db)", and the ratio
"nb·db/na·da" of the optical thickness "nb·db" of the second
polymer layer to that "na·da" of the first polymer layer satisfies
the following formula: 1/40 ≤ nb·db/na·da ≤ 40.
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According to a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a woven fabric which comprises a first group of
yarns each including a plurality of fibers, each fiber including a
plurality of first and second polymer layers which are alternately
put on one another in the direction of the thickness to constitute
a layer unit, each first polymer layer having an optical refractive
index "na" and a thickness "da", and each second polymer layer
having an optical refractive index "nb" and a thickness "db",
wherein the minute structure is formed to satisfy the following
condition: under the conditions of "1.3 ≤ na" and "1.01 ≤ nb/na ≤
1.40", the peak wavelength "λ1" of primary reflection satisfies
the following formula: λ1 = 2 x (na·da + nb·db)", and the ratio
"nb·db/na·da" of the optical thickness "nb·db" of the second
polymer layer to that "na·da" of the first polymer layer satisfies
the following formula: 1/40 ≤ nb·db/na·da ≤ 40, and a second
group of yarns each including a plurality of fibers, the first and
second group of yarns being woven into the fabric.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figs. 1A to 1D are sectional views of four examples of a
first group according to the present invention, wherein a
protecting layer is not provided;
- Figs. 2A to 2E are sectional views of five examples of a
second group according to the invention, wherein a protecting
layer is provided;
- Figs. 3A and 3B are sectional views of two examples of a
third group according to the present invention, wherein much
minutely structure is used;
- Figs. 4A to 4M are graphs showing the reflection spectrum
of a first type minute structure with the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" of 1, 5, 10, .... 100 respectively (refractive index
ratio "nb/na": 1.4);
- Figs. 5A to 5H are graphs showing the reflection spectrum
of a second type minute structure with the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" of 1, 5, 10,... 50 respectively (refractive index ratio
"nb/na": 1.2);
- Figs. 6A to 6F are graphs showing the reflection spectrum
of a third type minute structure with the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" of 1, 5, 10,... 30 respectively (refractive index ratio
"nb/na": 1.1);
- Figs. 7A to 7D are graphs showing the reflection spectrum
of a fourth type minute structure with the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" of 1, 5, 10 and 15 respectively (refractive index
ratio "nb/na": 1.07);
- Figs. 8A to 8C are graphs showing the reflection spectrum
of a fifth type minute structure with the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" of 1, 5 and 10 respectively (refractive index ratio
"nb/na": 1.03);
- Figs. 9A and 9B are graphs showing the reflection spectrum
of a sixth type minute structure with the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" of 1 and 5 respectively (refractive index ratio
"nb/na": 1.01);
- Fig. 10 is a graph showing the relation between the optical
thickness ratio of the minute structure and the energy reflectance
of the same in case where the peak wavelength (λ1) of the
primary reflection is 0.47 µm;
- Fig. 11 is a graph showing the relation between the optical
thickness ratio of the minute structure and the thickness of a
layer of the same in case where the refractive index ratio is 1.4;
- Fig. 12 is a graph showing the relation between the optical
thickness ratio of the minute structure and the energy reflectance
of the same, with a protective layer having various thickness, in
case where the peak wavelength (λ1) of a primary reflection is
0.47 µm;
- Fig. 13 is a graph showing one example of the spectral
reflectance spectrum of an interference coloring fiber;
- Fig. 14 is a graph showing the spectral reflectance
spectrum of a plain woven fabric made by combining an
interference coloring fiber and a conventional colored fiber, with
two variations in the color brightness of the colored fiber;
- Fig. 15 is a graph showing the spectral reflectance
spectrum of a fabric of an embodiment of the invention and that
of a blue-colored fabric made of conventional fibers; and
- Fig. 16 is a graph showing the spectral reflectance
spectrums of fabrics of other embodiments of the present
invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
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As will become apparent as the description proceeds, an
optically functional minute structure of the present invention
comprises a plurality of first and second organic polymer layers
which are alternately put on one another in the direction of the
thickness. The first layer has a thickness of "da" and an optical
refractive index of "na" that is equal to or greater than 1.3 and
the second layer has a thickness of "db" and an optical refractive
index of "nb" that is 1.01 to 1.40 times as much as the index
"na" of the first layer. In the minute structure of the invention,
the peak wavelength "λ1" of primary reflection is defined to a
value that is twice as long as the sum of the optical thickness
"na·da" (that is, na x da) of the first layer and that "nb·db" of the
second layer, and the ratio of the optical thickness "nb·db" of the
second layer to that "na·da" of the first layer, that is,
"nb·db/na·da" is defined to a value that ranges between 1/40 and
40, preferably between 1/15 and 15. With these definitions, the
minute structure of the invention achieves a satisfied energy
reflectance and shows improvement in reflection and interference
characteristics to light ray, and improvement in reflecting
characteristics to infrared and ultraviolet rays.
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Referring to Figs. 1A to 3B, there are shown sectional views
of various optically functional minute structures 1a to 3b
according to the present invention.
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The example 1a of Fig. 1A is an optically functional minute
structure, viz., a plastic fiber, which comprises a plurality of first
and second organic polymer layers 11 and 12 which are
alternately put on one another in the direction of the thickness,
that is, in the direction of "Y". The fiber of this example 1a has a
generally rectangular cross section, as shown. The first layer 11
has a thickness of "da" and an optical refractive index of "na" that
is equal to or greater than 1.3, and the second layer 12 has a
thickness of "nb" and an optical refractive index of "nb" that is
1.01 to 1.40 times as much as the index "na" of the first layer 11.
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The examples 1b and 1c of Figs. 1B and 1C are plastic
fibers which have oval and circular cross sections respectively.
The example 1d of Fig. 1D is a plastic fiber which has a circular
cross section and comprises a plurality of first and second tubular
polymer layers 11 and 12 which are alternately and concentrically
put on one another, as shown.
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Referring to Figs. 2A to 2E, there are shown examples 2a to
2e, viz., plastic fibers, each having a protecting plastic layer 13
applied to the outermost surface of the fiber. The examples 2a
and 2b of Figs. 2A and 2B have a rectangular cross section, the
examples 2c and 2d of Figs. 2C and 2D have oval and circular
cross sections and the example 2e of Fig. 2E has a circular cross
section and comprises a plurality of first and second tubular
layers 11 and 12 alternatively and concentrically put on one
another. Due to provision of the protecting plastic layer 13,
undesired peeling of the stacked layers 11 and 12 is assuredly
suppressed and abrasion resistance and mechanical strength of
the fiber are increased. The protecting plastic layer 13 may be
the first layer 11, the second layer 12 or a different plastic layer
whose material is different from the materials of the first and
second layers 11 and 12. Furthermore, if desired, the protecting
layer 13 may be a layer produced by combining the materials of
the first and second layers 11 and 12. Preferably, the second
plastic layer 12 is used as the protecting layer 13, which has a
higher value in the optical refractive index than the first plastic
layer 11. Most preferably, for achieving much improved optical
function, the protecting layer 13 should be one that has a higher
value in the optical refractive index than the second plastic layer
12.
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Referring to Figs. 3A and 3B, there are shown examples 3a
and 3b, viz., plastic fibers, which are modifications of the above-mentioned
example 1a of Fig. 1A. That is, the example 3a of Fig.
3A is a plastic fiber which comprises a plurality of first thin plastic
layers 11 neatly arranged in both vertical "Y" and horizontal "X"
directions, each first thin plastic layer 11 being embedded in an
integral structure 12 of second plastic layers. In this example 3a,
it is only necessary to have the first thin plastic layers 11
regularly arranged in the vertical direction "Y". Of course, in this
example, the width "a" of each layer 11 should be longer than the
wavelength of the reflected light ray. The example 3a of Fig. 3B
is a plastic fiber which comprises a complicatedly shaped integral
structure 11 of first thin plastic layers, the integral structure
being embedded in an integral structure 12 of second plastic
layers. In both the examples 3a and 3b of Figs. 3A and 3B, it is
preferable to provide in the horizontal direction "X" so-called light
reflecting and interfering areas as much as possible. Thus, these
two examples should have a flat structure. Preferably, the flat
ratio, viz., the ratio of the width (viz., length in the direction of
"X") to the height (viz., length in the direction of "Y") is about 1.5
to 10. If the flat ratio exceeds 15, manufacturing of the plastic
fiber becomes very difficult.
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In the above-mentioned optically functional minute
structures 1a to 3b of Figs. 1A to 3B, the number "N" of the
alternatively stacked first and second layers 11 and 12 should be
larger than 5. If the number "N" is less than 5, a satisfied light
reflecting and interfering effect is not obtained even though the
optical refractive index ratio "nb/na" between the first and second
plastic layers 11 and 12 is within the desired range from 1.01 to
1.40. Preferably, the number "N" is from 10 to 150, for achieving
the satisfied light reflecting and interfering effect. If the number
"N" exceeds 150, a spinneret (not shown) for extruding a melt
plastic material of the minute structure becomes very
complicated in shape and construction, which causes a poor
formation of the alternative arrangement of the two plastic layers
11 and 12.
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It is to be noted that, as is seen from Fig. 1A, a so-called
"vertical incidence" of light ray means a light incidence in the
direction of "Y", that is, in the direction perpendicular to the
horizontal surface of the minute structure.
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The above-mentioned first, second and protecting plastic
layers 11, 12 and 13 are constructed of various thermoplastic
transparent resins. Of course, such resins should have a high
transparency to visible light ray because the minute structure 1 is
designed to show a color based on the reflecting and interfering
effect when exposed to the visible light ray whose wavelength
ranges from 0.38 µm to 0.78 µm. The usable resins are, for
example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene
terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyester,
polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene (PS), polyamide such as nylon (Ny-6)
and nylon-66 (Ny-66), polyvinyl alcohol, polycarbonate (PC),
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyether etherketone (PEEK),
polyparaphenylene terephthalic amide, polyphenylene sulfide
(PPS) and the like. Of course, each layer 11, 12 or 13 can be
produced by combining some of the above-mentioned materials,
that is, from a copolymer of them.
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The optically functional minute structure of the invention
can be produced by means of various methods, which are, for
example, vacuum deposition method, electron beam deposition
method, ion plating method, molecular beam epitaxial growing
method, casting method, spin coating method, plasma
polymerization method, Langmuir-Blodgett's technique (LB) and
the like. Furthermore, for production of fibers of the minute
structure, various methods (viz., melting type, wet type and dry
type) are usable.
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In case of the vacuum deposition method, a vacuum
evaporator equipped with a base plates, two depositing plates
and shutters is prepared. Pellet powder for a first polymer and
pellet powder for a second polymer are put on the respective
depositing plates. The vacuum evaporator is then subjected to
an air release to have a vacuum degree of about 10-5 Torr and the
two depositing plates are heated to respective sublimation
temperatures of the first and second polymers. During this, the
shutters are alternatively opened and closed to form on the base
plate a layered structure, viz., an optically functional minute
structure of the present invention. Operation of the shutters is so
controlled that the produced minute structure shows a satisfied
value (for example, 1, 5) of the optical thickness ratio
"nb·db/na·da".
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Furthermore, by using a melt spinning machine with a
unique spinneret (for example, known static mixer), an elongated
minute structure, that is, an optically functional fiber can be
produced. In this method, pellets for a first polymer and pellets
for a second polymer are heated to be melted and forced to pass
through respective nozzles of the spinneret while being controlled
in temperature, extrusion speed and fiber forming speed. Of
course, the control is so made that the produced fiber shows a
satisfied value (for example, 1, 5) of the optical thickness ratio
"nb·db/na·da".
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As is described hereinabove, when light rays are directed
perpendicular to the minute structure 1a of the invention (see Fig.
1A), the peak wavelength (λ1) of primary reflection satisfies the
following formula:
λ1 = 2 x (na·da + nb·db)
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Accordingly, if, due to selection of the optical thickness
"na·da" of the first plastic layer 11 and that "nb·db" of the second
plastic layer 12, the peak wavelength "λ1" of the primary
reflection shows 0.47 µm (viz., visible light area), blue color is
shown by the produced minute structure 1. Furthermore, if the
peak wavelength "λ1" shows 0.62 µm (viz., visible light area), red
color is shown by the produced minute structure 1. When these
minute structures are formed into fibers and woven into a fabric,
the fabric can show a color issuing a unique feel of material. Of
course, the color shown by the fabric based on the light reflecting
and interfering effect is not deteriorated even when washed.
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The infrared spectrum of sunlight ranges from 0.78 µm to
about 5.0 µm. Thus, if the peak wavelength "λ1" of the primary
reflection is set in such range, the infrared ray in the sunlight
directed to the minute structure 1 is subjected to a reflecting and
interfering effect. This means that a fabric woven from such
minute structure 1 (viz., fibers) can effectively shut out the
infrared ray of the sunlight. Since the near infrared ray with a
spectrum ranging from 0.78 µm to about 2.0 µm has a high
energy, it is preferable to set the peak wavelength "λ1" within
such range. In this case, the shut out effect against the infrared
ray is much increased. If a person wearing such cloth (fabric)
walks in a daylight particularly in summer, he or she can feel cool.
Furthermore, if such cloth is used as a curtain in a room,
temperature control of the room is easily carried out. In a hard
work environment, such as a place where blast furnace,
combustion furnace, boiler or the like is working, workers have to
bear a very high temperature (from several hundreds degrees
(°C) to about one thousand degrees (°C)). In this case, the heat
rays from the heat source contain an infrared spectrum ranging
from 1.6 µm to 20.0 µm in wavelength. Accordingly, if the
workers wear clothes woven from the optically functional minute
fibers which satisfy the peak wavelength "λ1" being within such
range (viz., 1.6 µm to 20.0 µm in wavelength), they are
assuredly protected from such high heating. That is, the clothes
can effectively shut out the infrared ray of such range.
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If the peak wavelength "λ1" is set in a ultraviolet area
ranging from 0.004 µm to 0.40 µm in wavelength, articles and
goods applied with the minute structures which satisfy such peak
wavelength "λ1" can effectively shut out ultraviolet ray of such
range.
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If desired, several groups of minute structures 1 having
different values of "λ1" may be put on one another to constitute a
so-called multifunctional minute structure. That is, in this case,
the multifunctional minute structure can show colors of red and
blue and shut out the infrared and ultraviolet rays at the same
time.
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Furthermore, if desired, the optically functional minute
fibers may be cut into chips for application to span type fabric,
paper, painting, cosmetic such as nail polish liquid and the like.
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Tables 1 to 3 show various articles and goods to which the
optically functional minute structure of the present invention are
practically applicable.
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The present invention will be much clearly understood from
the following description.
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The reason why the optical refractive index "na" of the first
plastic layer 11 is selected to a value equal to or greater than 1.3
is as follows. That is, in general, the optical refractive index of
organic polymer is in an area from 1.3 to 1.82, and that of wide-use
organic polymer is in an area from 1.35 to 1.75. That is, the
value 1.3 indicates the lowermost value of such area. To lower
the optical refractive index of organic polymer to the degree of
1.3, addition of fluorine to molecules of the polymer is known.
Furthermore, by dispersing particulate of NaF and/or MgF2 into
the polymer, the optical refractive index can be lowered.
However, in this case, the transparency and moldability of the
polymer become sacrificed.
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Organic polymers that indicate a lower optical refractive
index being lower than 1.4 are fluorocarbon resins, such as,
tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene·
hexafluoropolypropylene (FRP) and the like. While, organic
polymers that indicate a higher optical refractive index being
higher than 1.6 are polyester resins, such as, polyvinylidene
chloride (PVDC) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).
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The reason why the ratio of the optical refractive index "nb"
of the second plastic layer 12 to that "na" of the first plastic layer
11, that is, "nb/na" is determined to the range from 1.01 to 1.40
is as follows. First, if the ratio "nb/na" is smaller than 1.01, the
energy reflectance differential "ΔR" defined by the energy
reflection peak and the background becomes very small causing a
failure in showing clear color. Second, if the ratio "nb/na"
becomes smaller than 1.01, that is, close to 1.0, undesired
phenomenon tends to occur. In fact, the optical refractive index
possessed by each polymer is easily affected by surrounding
temperature and wavelength of light ray applied to the polymer.
This phenomenon is marked in the waveband of near infrared ray
and its vicinity. That is, even when the number "N" of the
alternatively stacked first and second layers 11 and 12 is much
increased, a practical reflection and interference function is not
obtained. For these reasons, the lower value of the optical
refractive index ratio "nb/na" is determined to 1.01, preferably,
to 1.03.
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The reason why the optical refractive index ratio "nb/na" is
determined to a value equal to or smaller than 1.4 is as follows.
In general, the optical refractive index of organic polymers can be
calculated from "Lorentz-Lorentz Equation". From this equation,
it is revealed that organic polymers can have about 1.9 as the
highest optical refractive index and about 1.35 as the lowest
optical reflective index. Thus, the optical refractive index ratio
"nb/na", that is, "1.9/1.35" becomes about 1.40 that shows the
largest value of the allowable range. To increase the optical
refractive index of organic polymer, addition of inorganic filler,
pigment, oxides, such as, titanium oxide (n=2.8) and chromium
oxide (n=2.5) and/or hydrosulfides such as cadmium sulfide to
the polymer is known. However, in this case, the transparency
and moldability of the polymer becomes sacrificed.
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Referring back to the formula of (1), if it is intended to get
a minute structure 1 that shows blue color, "λ1" is set to 0.47 µm
and selection of two plastic layers 11 and 12 and selection of
thickness of these layers 11 and 12 are made in a manner to
satisfy the formula (1).
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However, through various tests, the inventors have found
that the formula (1) has an area that is not practical due to a
remarkable change of the energy reflectance at the peak
wavelength (λ1) of the primary reflection. This will become
understood from the following.
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Figs. 4A to 4M, 5A to 5H, 6A to 6F, 7A to 7D, 8A to 8C, and
9A and 9B are graphs each showing a calculated energy
reflectance with respect to the wavelength (µm) of a light ray
directed to first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth type minute
structure.
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For calculation of the energy reflectance, the following
conditions were set. That is, each minute structure had such a
structure 2a as shown in Fig. 2A. In all of the types, the optical
refractive index "na" of the first plastic layer 11 was 1.53, and
that of the protecting plastic layer 13 was also 1.53. The
thickness of the protecting layer 13 was 5 µm. The number "N"
of the stacked layers of the minute structure was 61, and the
peak wavelength "λ1" of primary reflection was set to 0.47 µm.
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The graphs of Figs. 4A to 4M show the results of the first
type minute structures whose refractive index ratio "nb/na" is all
1.4 but whose optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" varies from 1,
5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 respectively.
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As is seen from these graphs, with increase of the optical
thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" between the two plastic layers 11
and 12, both the energy reflectance and energy reflectance
intensity (that corresponds to the area defined by the spectrum)
gradually lower, and as is seen from Figs. 4L and 4M, when the
optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" comes to 90 or 100, the
reflection peak at the peak wavelength "λ1" almost disappears.
However, as is seen from Fig. 4G, when the ratio "nbdb/nada" is
40, the reflection peak at the wavelength "λ1" points about 0.4
that is sufficient for obtaining an effective optical function. That
is, in the first type minute structures, in a range of the ratio
"nbdb/nada" from 1 to 40, sufficient optical function is obtained.
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The graphs of Figs. 5A to 5H show the results of the second
type minute structures whose refractive index ratio "nb/na" is all
1.2 and whose optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" varies from 1,
5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 respectively.
-
As is seen from a comparison between the above-mentioned
Fig. 4A and Fig. 5A, in the second type minute
structures is somewhat poor in having a sufficient energy
reflectance intensity. As is seen from Fig. 5E, when the ratio
"nbdb/nada" is 20, the reflection peak at the wavelength "λ1"
fails to point the value 0.4. That is, in the second type minute
structures, in a range of the ratio "nbdb/nada" from 1 to 15,
sufficient optical function is obtained.
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The graphs of Figs. 6A to 6F show the results of the third
type minute structures whose refractive index ratio "nb/na" is all
1.1 and whose optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" varies from 1,
5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 respectively.
-
As is seen Fig. 6C, when the ratio "nbdb/nada" comes to 10,
the reflection peak at the wavelength "λ1" fails to point the value
0.4. That is, in the third type minute structures, in only the
range of the ratio "nbdb/nada" from 1 to 5, sufficient optical
function is obtained.
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The graphs of Figs. 7A to 7D show the results of the fourth
type minute structures whose refractive index ratio "nb/na" is all
1.07 and whose optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" varies from 1,
5, 10 and 15 respectively.
-
As is easily understood from these graphs, in the fourth
type minute structures, sufficient optical function is obtained only
in the range of the ratio "nbdb/nada" from 1 to 5 like in case of
the third type minute structures.
-
The graphs of Figs. 8A to 8C show the results of the fifth
type minute structures whose refractive index ratio "nb/na" is all
1.03 and whose optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" varies from 1,
5 and 10 respectively.
-
As is seen from these graphs, in the fifth type minute
structures, sufficient optical function is obtained only when the
ratio "nbdb/nada" is 1.
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The graphs of Figs. 9A and 9B show the results of the sixth
type minute structures whose refractive index ratio "nb/na" is all
1.01 and whose optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" varies from 1
to 5 respectively.
-
As is seen from these graphs, the sixth type minute
strictures can not obtain sufficient optical function.
-
As is understood from the foregoing, with decrease of the
refractive index ratio "nb/na" toward a value 1, the practicable
range of the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" becomes
narrowed.
-
Fig. 10 is a graph showing the relation between the optical
thickness ratio of the minute structure and the energy reflectance
of the same, which is provided based on the results of the
calculations of Figs. 4A to 9B. As is seen from this graph, the
curves of the refractive index ratio "nb/na" have each a
symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical line passing through
the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" of 1. This means that an
equal energy reflectance is obtained when the ratio "nbdb/nada"
shows 40 and 1/40.
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That is, as shown in the graph, in case of the refractive
index ratio "nb/na" being 1.4, the corresponding minute structure
can obtain a sufficient energy reflectance of 0.4 even though the
optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" (viz., 40 and 1/40) is largely
different from the value of 1. However, in case of the refractive
index ratio "nb/na" being 1.2, a sufficient energy reflectance of
0.4 is obtained only from a minute structure whose optical
thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" is in the range from 1/15 to 15.
When the refractive index ratio "nb/na" becomes much smaller to
the value 1.07 or 1.03, it becomes necessary to bring the optical
thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" much close to the value 1.
-
As has been mentioned hereinabove, in case of the
refractive index ratio "nb/na" being 1.40 (that is, the largest
value of the ratio in the condition wherein "1.3 ≤ na" and "1.01 ≤
nb/na ≤ 1.40" are established, the minute structure can obtain a
sufficient or practical energy reflectance of 0.4 (viz., "R = 0.4").
However, when considering the relation between the optical
thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" and the thickness of the layer in the
case wherein the refractive index ratio "nb/na" is 1.4, the graph
of Fig. 11 shows that the thickness of the first plastic layer (viz.,
the polymer having a lower refractive index) reduces
exponentially with increase of the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada", and that when the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" is 40, the thickness of the first plastic layer is 0.004
µm. As is known in the art, formation of such thin layer is quite
difficult. Furthermore, it has been revealed that when the
thickness of the polymer layer is reduced to the level of 0.004 µm,
a practical reflection and interference effect is not obtained. This
may be because of poor formation of the surface defined in the
polymer layer.
-
For the reasons as mentioned hereinabove, the thickness of
the first plastic layer should be at least 0.004 µm. Thus, in both
the first and second polymer layers, the formula "1/40 ≤
nbdb/nada ≤ 40" is needed.
-
When the refractive index ratio "nb/na" is 1.4 and the
optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" is 15 or 1/15, the graph of Fig.
4D shows about 0.9 of the energy reflectance. In this case, as is
seen from the graph of Fig. 11, the thickness of the first polymer
layer (viz., the polymer having a lower refractive index) is
greater than 0.01 µm. The thickness of this level is easily
controllable by known melt spinning methods. It has been
revealed that the thickness of such level provides the polymer
layer with a practical reflection and interference effect.
-
For the reasons as mentioned hereinabove, in both the first
and second polymer layers, usage of the formula "1/15 ≤
nbdb/nada ≤ 15" is preferable.
-
It has been further revealed that the polymer fiber 2a of Fig.
2A can exhibit excellent wear and abrasion resistance and
excellent energy reflectance. The polymer fiber 2a comprises the
alternately put first and second polymer layers 11 and 12 and the
protecting layer 13 which covers the unit of the layers 11 and 12.
-
This will be understood from the graph of Fig. 12 which
shows the relation between the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" and the energy reflectance in case wherein, in the
polymer fiber 2a of Fig. 2A, the thickness of the protecting layer
13 varies under a condition wherein the peak wavelength (λ1) of
the primary reflection is 0.47 µm, the refractive index ratio
"nb/na" is 1.07 and the number "N" of the stacked layers is 61.
As is seen from this graph, when the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" is near 1, the thickness of the protecting layer 13
does substantially no affect on the difference of the energy
reflectance. However, when the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" is greater than 1, the thickness of the protecting
layer 13 does affect the difference. As is seen, when the
thickness of the protecting layer 13 is in the range from 0.5 µm
to 20 µm, satisfied energy reflectance is obtained. Preferably,
the thickness of the projecting layer 13 is in the range from 3 µm
to 30 µm.
-
The optically functional minute structure 1 of the present
invention is applicable to woven fabrics as a fiber structure. In
this case, the woven fabrics exhibit at least one of optical
functions, such as the reflection and interference function of
visible light ray, the reflection function of infrared ray or the
reflection function of ultraviolet ray.
-
In the following, some examples of the woven fabrics will
be described with reference to the drawings. The fiber structures
possessing such optical functions will be referred to as
"interference coloring fiber".
-
Fig. 13 is a graph showing the reflectance spectrum of an
interference coloring fiber of 8 denier, whose first and second
polymer layers are respectively made of polyester and polyamide
and whose protecting layer is made of polyester. The number
"N" of the stacked layers is 61. As is seen from this graph, in
case of this interference coloring fiber, there is a waveband
whose reflectance largely exceeds 100% and thus the color
shown by the fiber is viewed brightly. This over 100%
phenomenon is unique as compared with a case of conventional
colored fiber that has no waveband whose reflectance exceeds
100%.
-
The interference coloring fiber has colors varying with a
change in the view angle, and shows colors due to the
interference of light ray. Thus, the colors shown by the
interference coloring fiber are clear and allow the viewers to
recognize the colors as a so-called view point less fluorescent
colors.
-
In an interference coloring fiber which comprises an
outermost layer that has a reflection and interference function
and an inner layer that absorbs light ray whose wavelength is
other than a predetermined reflection and interference
wavelength, the coloring provided by the reflection and
interference wavelength becomes much clear. That is, by
combining the interference coloring fiber with natural fiber (wool,
hemp, cotton, silk, etc.,), regenerated fiber or synthetic fiber,
there are produced various woven fabrics with different color feel
and different visibility.
-
Fig. 14 is a graph showing the reflectance spectrum of two
plain woven fabrics each being made by combining an
interference coloring fiber and a conventional colored fiber, one
fabric having a colored fiber whose luminosity is 3 in Munsell
color standard and the other fabric having a colored fiber whose
luminosity is 8.7 in Munsell color standard. As will be seen from
this graph, when the colored fiber has the luminosity lower than
8.7, the associated woven fabric can provide a viewer with a clear
color recognition. It has been revealed that with lowering of the
luminosity around the interference coloring fiber, the color feeling
becomes much clear.
-
In woven fabrics produced by combining an interference
coloring fiber with another interference coloring fiber or a white
colored conventional fiber, a so-called random lighting tends to
occur in the woven fabric caused by a stay of light with a given
wavelength, which allows the viewers to recognize the colors as
the view point less fluorescent colors.
-
The minute structure 1 according to the present invention
has the above-mentioned excellent optical functions as well as
excellent wear and abrasion resistance. In fact, the fiber
structure 1 can be practically applied to blouses, shirts, suits,
one-piece dresses, sports clothing, under wears, hats, curtains,
laces and automotive covers, and chips provided by cutting the
fiber structure 1 into small pieces can be applied to painting,
building materials, and cosmetics.
-
In the following, embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to the drawings and table.
EMBODIMENTS 1 AND 2:
-
Two optically functional minute structures 2a of the type
shown in Fig. 2A were produced. For this production, the
following steps were carried out. As the first polymer layers 11,
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, na= 1.49) was chosen, and as
the second polymer layers 12, polyethylene terephthalate
copolymerized with 12.5 mole-% of neopentylglycol
(Copolymerized PET, na=1.58) was chosen. Thus, the refractive
index ratio "nb/na" was 1.06. Usage of the polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) copolymerized with neopentylglycol as the
second polymer layer 12 was intended to improve the
compatibility with the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) of the first
polymer layer 11, that is, to put the compatibility (viz., surface
energy) of the copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate layer 12
and that of the polymethylmethacrylate layer 11 close to each
other.
-
For obtaining blue color (viz., the reflection peak
wavelength "λ1" = 0.47 µm), two minute structures, viz., first
and second interference coloring fibers were designed, each
having the number "N" being 61. The first fiber was designed to
have the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" being 1, and the
second fiber was designed to have the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" being 5. Each of the first and second fibers was
designed to be covered with a protecting layer 13 of
copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate.
-
For producing the first and second fibers, a melt spinning
machine with a given spinneret (N = 61) was used and the
spinning was carried out under the conditions of 285 °C of the
spinneret and 1000m/min. of the spinning speed. With this, two
types of non-elongated fibers were produced. These fibers were
then applied to a roller type drawer to be elongated by three
times. With this, two elongated fibers having the thickness of
about 100 denier/11 filament were produced, which are first and
second embodiments of the present invention.
-
By using an electron microscope, sections of the two
elongated fibers (viz., first and second embodiments) were
observed and the thickness of the copolymerized polyethylene
terephthalate layer 12 and that of the polymethylmethacrylate
layer 11 were measured in each fiber (or embodiment). In
addition, the filaments of these fibers were put around a black
paper and put into a microspectrophotometer (U-6000
manufactured by HITACHI Co., Ltd.) for evaluating the
reflectance spectrum of them at an incident angle of 0° and a
receiving angle of 0°. The relative reflectance was measured
based on a value possessed by a standard white board. The feel
of color of these elongated fibers was evaluated by visual
observation.
-
The results of the evaluations are shown in TABLE-4. As is
seen from this table, in case of the first fiber (viz., first
embodiment) wherein the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" was
1, the relative reflectance showed a value much greater than
200% and the fiber showed a transparently fresh purplish blue,
and in case of the second fiber (viz., second embodiment)
wherein the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" was 5, the
relative reflectance showed a value about 100% and the fiber
showed a purplish blue.
EMBODIMENTS 3 AND 4:
-
Two optically functional minute structures 2a of the type
shown in Fig. 2A were produced. For this production, the
following steps were carried out. As the first polymer layers 11,
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, na= 1.49) manufactured by
Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. was chosen, and as the second
polymer layers 12, polycarbonate (PC, nb= 1.59) manufactured
by Teijin Kasei Co., Ltd. was chosen. Thus, the refractive index
ratio "nb/na" was 1.07.
-
For obtaining blue color (viz., "λ1" = 0.47 µm), two minute
structures, that is, third and fourth interference coloring fibers
were designed, each having the number "N" being 61. The third
fiber was designed to have the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" being 1, and the fourth fiber was designed to have
the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" being 5. Each of the third
and fourth fibers was designed to be covered with a protecting
layer 13 of copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate.
-
For producing the third and fourth fibers, the melt spinning
machine (N = 61) was used and the spinning was carried out
under the conditions of 290 °C of the spinneret and 1000m/min.
of the spinning speed. With this, two types of non-elongated
fibers were produced. These fibers were then applied to the
roller type drawer to be elongated by three times. With this, two
elongated fibers having the thickness of about 100 denier/11
filament were produced, which are third and fourth embodiments
of the invention.
-
These third and fourth embodiments were applied to the
above-mentioned evaluation tests. The results of the evaluations
are shown in TABLE-4. As is seen from this table, in case of the
third fiber (viz., third embodiment) wherein the optical thickness
ratio "nbdb/nada" was 1, the relative reflectance showed a value
much greater than 200% and the fiber showed a transparently
fresh purplish blue, and in case of the fourth fiber (viz., fourth
embodiment) wherein the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" was
5, the relative reflectance showed a value about 100% and the
fiber showed a purplish blue.
EMBODIMENT 5:
-
An optically functional minute structure 2a of the type
shown in Fig. 2A was produced. For this production, the following
steps were carried out. As the first polymer layers 11, nylon-6
(Ny-6, na=1.53) was chosen, and as the second polymer layer 12,
copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate (Copolymerized PET,
nb=1.58) was chosen. Thus, the refractive index ratio "nb/na"
was 1.03. Usage of the copolymerized PET as the material of the
second polymer layers 12 was intended to improve the
compatibility with the Nylon-6 of the first polymer layers 11.
-
The copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate was
prepared by taking the following steps.
-
A plurality of samples were prepared. Each of them was
produced as follows.
-
1.0 mole-dimethyl terephthalate, 2.5 mole-ethylene glycol,
a given amount of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid sodium, 0.0008 mole-calcium
acetate and 0.0002 mole-manganese acetate (both being
transesterification catalyst) were mixed in a reaction vessel and
stirred while being gradually heated from 150°C to 230°C for
achieving a transesterification. After moving a given amount of
methanol from the mixture, 0.0012 mole-antimony trioxide
(polymerization catalyst) was added to the mixture, and then
heating and decompression were gradually carried out while
removing produced ethylene glycol from the mixture, and finally,
the temperature of the vessel reached to 285°C and the degree of
vacuum of the same reached to a value smaller than 1 Torr. By
keeping this final condition, the velocity of the mixture was
increased. When the velocity came to a certain degree, the
viscous mixture in the vessel was drawn into water to get a pellet
of copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate. The highest
viscosity (viz., limit viscosity) of the copolymerized polyethylene
terephthalate then produced was from 0.47 to 0.64.
-
By employing the above-mentioned production method,
many samples of copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate were
produced. Among them, the polyethylene terephthalate with
0.6% copolymerization was selected as a material of the second
polymer layer 12. Nylon-6 used as the material of the first
polymer layer 11 was one that showed 1.3 as the limit viscosity.
-
For obtaining blue color (viz., "λ1" = 0.47 µm), one minute
structure, that is, a fifth interference coloring fiber was designed,
which has the number "N" being 61. The fifth fiber was designed
to have the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" being 1. The fifth
fiber was designed to be covered with a protecting layer 13 of
copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate.
-
For producing the fifth fiber, the melt spinning machine (N
= 61) was used and the spinning was carried out under the
conditions of 290°C of the spinneret and 1000m/min. of the
spinning speed. With this, a non-elongated fiber was produced
and then the fiber was applied to the roller type drawer to be
elongated by three times. With this, an elongated fiber having
the thickness of about 100 denier/11 filament was produced,
which is a fifth embodiment of the invention.
-
The fifth embodiment was applied to the above-mentioned
evaluation tests. The results of these tests are shown in TABLE-4.
As is seen from this table, in this fifth embodiment, the relative
reflectance showed a value about 100% and the fiber showed a
purplish blue.
EMBODIMENTS 6 AND 7:
-
Two optically functional minute structures 2a of the type
shown in Fig. 2A were produced. As the first polymer layers 11,
Nylon-6 (Ny-6, na = 1.53) was chosen, and as the second
polymer layers 12, polyethylene terephthalate coplymerized with
1.5 mole-% sulfoisophthalic acid sodium (Copolymerized PET, nb
= 1.63) was chosen. Thus, the refractive index ratio "nb/na" was
1.07. Usage of the copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate as
the material of the second polymer layers 12 was intended to
improve the compatibility with the Nylon-6 of the first polymer
layers 11.
-
For obtaining blue color (viz., "λ1" = 0.47 µm), two minute
structures, that is, sixth and seventh interference coloring fibers
were designed, each having the number "N" being 61. The sixth
fiber was designed to have the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" being 1, and the seventh fiber was designed to have
the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" being 5. Each of the sixth
and seventh fibers was designed to be covered with a protecting
layer 13 of copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate.
-
For producing the sixth and seventh fibers, the melt
spinning machine (N = 61) was used and the spinning was
carried out under the conditions of 287°C of the spinneret and
1000m/min. of the spinning speed. With this, two types of non-elongated
fibers were produced. These fibers were then applied
to the roller type drawer to be elongated by three times. With
this, two elongated fibers having the thickness of about 100
denier/11 filament were produced, which are sixth and seventh
embodiments of the invention.
-
These sixth and seventh embodiments were applied to the
above-mentioned evaluation tests. The results are shown in
TABLE-4. As is seen from this table, in case of the sixth fiber
(viz., sixth embodiment) wherein the optical thickness ratio
"nbdb/nada" was 1, the relative reflectance showed a value much
greater than 200% and the fiber showed a transparently fresh
purplish blue, and in case of the seventh fiber (viz., seventh
embodiment) wherein the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" was
5, the relative reflectance showed a value larger than 100% and
the fiber showed a purplish blue.
EMBODIMENTS 8 to 11:
-
Four optically functional minute structures 2c of the type
shown in Fig. 2C were produced. For this production, the
following steps were carried out. As the first polymer layers 11,
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, na=1.49) was chosen, and as
the second polymer layers 12, polyparaphenylene sulfide (PPS,
nb=1.80) was chosen. Thus, the refractive index ratio "nb/na"
was 1.20.
-
For obtaining blue color (viz., "λ1" = 0.47 µm), four minute
structures, that is, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh interference
coloring fibers were designed, each having the number "N" being
61. These fibers were designed to have the optical thickness
ratio being 1, 5, 10 and 15 respectively. Each of these fibers was
designed to be covered with a protecting layer 13 of
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).
-
For producing these fibers, the melt spinning machine (N =
61) was used and the spinning was carried out under the
conditions of 350°C of the spinneret and 1000m/min. of the
spinning speed. With this, four types of non-elongated fibers
were produced, and these fibers were applied to the roller type
drawer to be elongated by three times. With this, four elongated
fibers having the thickness of about 100 denier/11 filament were
produced, which are eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh
embodiments of the present invention.
-
These embodiments were applied to the above-mentioned
evaluation tests. The results are shown in TABLE-4. As is seen
from this table, in case of the eighth and ninth embodiments
wherein the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" was 1 and 5, the
relative reflectance showed a value much greater than 200% and
the fibers showed a transparently fresh greenish blue. In case of
the tenth and eleventh embodiments wherein the optical
thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" was 10 and 15, the relative
reflectance showed a value greater than 100% and the fibers
showed a fresh greenish blue.
EMBODIMENT 12:
-
A plain satin fabric was produced. For this production,
wefts and warps were prepared. For the warps, blackish colored
fibers, whose thickness is 66 to 132 denier and whose luminosity
is 1 to 3 in Munsell color standard, were used. For producing the
wefts, the following steps were carried out. That is, a plurality of
interference coloring fibers were produced, each using as the first
polymer layers 11 polyamide resin, as the second polymer layers
12 polyester resin and as the protecting layer 13 polyester resin.
Each fiber was designed to have the reflection peak wavelength
"λ1" being 0.47 µm, the refractive index ratio "nb/na" being 1.07
and the optical thickness ratio "nbdb/nada" being 1. For
production of each weft, 11 (eleven) fibers were bound, each
having the thickness of 6 to 12 denier. With this, each weft had
the thickness of 66 to 132 denier. By weaving the wefts and
warps together to produce the plain satin fabric.
-
The plain satin fabric thus produced, which is the twelfth
embodiment of the invention, was applied to the spectral
reflectance test under the condition of an incident angle of 0° and
a receiving angle of 0°. For comparison, a conventional blue
colored plain satin fabric made of thin fibers of polyester (hue:
2.5PB to 3.5PB, luminosity: 5 to 6, colorfulness: 9) was also
applied to such test.
-
The results of the tests are shown in the graph of Fig. 15.
As is seen from this graph, the plain satin fabric according to the
invention showed a very high relative reflectance as compared
with the conventional blue satin fabric. In fact, the plain satin
fabric showed a very high metallic polish and a clear and deeper
color feel. Furthermore, it was revealed that the feel of material
of the plain satin fabric was largely changed in accordance with
the weaving type and the property (viz., hue, luminosity and
colorfulness) of the conventional plain satin fabric that
constituted the warps.
EMBODIMENT 13:
-
A plain woven fabric similar to the above-mentioned twelfth
embodiment was produced. That is, in this thirteenth
embodiment, as the wefts, the same interference coloring fibers
as those of the twelfth embodiment were used. However, in this
thirteenth embodiment, the warps were made of somewhat
darkened conventional fibers (hue: 5Y to 5GY, luminosity: about
8.75, colorfulness: about 0.5). By weaving the wefts and warps
together, the plain woven fabric was produced.
-
The plain woven fabric thus produced, which is the
thirteenth embodiment of the invention, was applied to the
above-mentioned spectral reflectance test. The results of this
test is shown in the graph of Fig. 16. As is understood from Figs.
16 and 15, the fabric of the thirteenth embodiment showed the
relative reflectance being higher than that of the conventional
blue satin fabric. In fact, the fabric had an improved polish feel.
Furthermore, due to usage of the interference coloring fibers, the
darkness feel was canceled, and due to presence of rough surface
of the fabric against which visible light rays strike in different
directions, the feel of material of the fabric was improved.
EMBODIMENTS 14 and 15:
-
Two plain woven fabrics similar to the above-mentioned
twelfth embodiment were produced, which are fourteenth and
fifteenth embodiments of the invention. In these fourteenth and
fifteenth embodiments, as the wefts, the same interference
coloring fibers as those of the twelfth embodiment were used.
However, in the fourteenth embodiment, the warps were made of
white conventional fibers (luminosity: 9). In the fifteenth
embodiment, the warps were made of the interference coloring
fibers. By weaving the respective wefts and warps, the plain
woven fabrics of the fourteenth and fifteenth embodiments were
produced.
-
These two plain woven fabrics were applied to the spectral
reflectance test. The results are shown in the graph of Fig. 16.
As is seen from this graph, both the fabrics of the fourteenth and
fifteenth embodiments showed the relative reflectance being
higher than that of the thirteenth embodiment, and the fifteenth
embodiment showed the relative reflectance being higher than
that of the fourteenth embodiment. Due to presence of rough
surfaces of the fabrics against which visible light rays strike in
different directions, the feel of colors shown by such fabrics was
delicately changed. Furthermore, the colors shown by these
fabrics allowed the viewers to recognize the colors as a so-called
view point less fluorescent colors.
EMBODIMENT 16:
-
In this embodiment, the same interference coloring fibers
as those of the twelfth embodiment were twisted into threads and
the threads were woven into a pattern of a woven fabric. With
this, there was produced on the woven fabric a raised portion
where the threads are exposed. For comparison, conventional
threads were woven into a pattern of another woven fabric.
Visual observation test showed that the raised portion issued a
metallic polish and a clear and deeper color feel.
-
The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application P10-345343
(filed December 4, 1998) are incorporated herein by
reference.
-
Although the invention has been described above with
reference to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention
is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various
modifications and variations of the embodiments described above
will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above
teachings.
| FORM OF MINUTE STRUCTURE | USE | APPLIED ARTICLES & GOODS |
| CHIPPED FIBER (REFLECTION & INTERFERENCE FUNCTION) (INFRARED RAY REFLECTION FUNCTION) (ULTRAVIOLET RAY REFLECTION FUNCTION) | NON WOVEN FABRICS | SUBSTANTIALLY SAME AS THOSE OF CLOTH IN TABLE-1 |
| CHIPPED FIBER (REFLECTION & INTERFERENCE FUNCTION) (INFRARED RAY REFLECTION FUNCTION) (ULTRAVIOLET RAY REFLECTION FUNCTION) -SCATTERED ONTO SUBSTRATE AND FIXED- | SURFACE DECORATION | WALL PAPER; MOUNTING; PLASTIC TILE; TABLE WEAR; FLOWER VASE; EARTHENWARE; DAILY NECESSARIES SUCH AS TABLE, CHAIR OR THE LIKE; HOUSE HOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCES; LURE; TOYS; PLASTIC MODEL; SKIS; SNOW BOARD; SURF BOARD; INTERIOR OF CAR, RAILWAY CAR SHIP AND PLANE; PEN; FOUNTAIN PEN; WRITING BRUSH; PENCIL; PENCIL CASE; CASES; NAME BOARD; DOCUMENT CASE; SIGN BOARD; TRAFFIC SIGNAL; BINDING FOR BOOK & MAGAZINE; PICTURE FRAME; SAND PICTURE; JIGSAW PUZZLE; SURFACE COVER FOR PLASTIC, METAL, WOOD, GLASS AND CERAMIC MEMBERS; ETC., |
| CHIPPED FIBER (REFLECTION & INTERFERENCE FUNCTION) (INFRARED RAY REFLECTION FUNCTION) (ULTRAVIOLET RAY REFLECTION FUNCTION) -MIXED WITH BASE OF PAINT- | PAINTING | TABLE WEAR; FLOWER VASE; EARTHENWARE; TABLE; CHAIR; HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCES; LURE; TOYS; PLASTIC MODEL; MUSICAL INSTRUMENT; RACKETS; SKIS; SNOW BOARD; SURF BOARD; INTERIOR OF CAR, RAILWAY CAR, SHIP AND PLANEL; PEN; FOUNTAIN PEN; PENCIL; PENCIL CASE; CASES; DOCUMENT CASE; PAINTING MATERIALS; STAGE COSTUME; INTERIOR & EXTERIOR OF HOUSE; NAME BOARD; SIGN BOARD; TRAFFIC SIGNAL; SURFACE COVER FOR PLASTIC, METAL, WOOD, GLASS AND CERAMIC MEMBERS; ETC., |
| COSMETICS | HAIR SPLAY; FOUNDATION; NAIL POLISH; HAIR DYE; EYE SHADOW, ETC., |
| FORM OF MINUTE STRUCTURE | USE | APPLIED ARTICLES & GOODS |
| CHIPPED FIBER (REFLECTION& INTERFERENCE FUNCTION) - EMBEDDED IN PLASTIC MATERIAL AND THE LIKE - - | COVERING MATERIAL | TABLE WEAR; FLOWER VASE; TABLE; CHAIR; HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCES; LURE; TOYS; PLASTIC MODEL; MUSICAL INSTRUMENT; SKIS; SNOW BOARD; SURF BOARD; INTERIOR OF CAR, RAILWAY CAR, SHIP AND PLANE; PENCIL CASE; CASES; DOCUMENT CASE; SURFACE DECORATING SHEET; ETC., |
| CHIPPED FIBER (REFLECTION& INTERFERENCE FUNCTION) - PUT BETWEEN TRANSPARENT FILMS OR GLASS PLATES - - | DECORATING MATERIAL | SIGN BOARD; TRAFFIC SIGNAL; WINDOW; CASES; LABEL; ADHESIVE TAPE; ETC., |
| EMBODIMENT | 2ND POLYMER LAYER/1ST POLYMER LAYER nbdb/nada | OPTICAL THICKNESS RATIO | MEASURED THICKNESS OF LAYER (µM) | RELATIVE REFLECTANCE (%) | COLOR FEELING |
| | | | COPOLYMERIZED PET LAYER | PMMA LAYER |
| 1 | COPOLYMERIZED PET/PMMA (REFRACTIVE INDEX RATIO= 1.06) | 1 | 0.072 | 0.077 | 228 | TRANSPARENTLY FRESH PURPLISH BLUE |
| 2 | 5 | 0.122 | 0.026 | 102 | PURPLISH BLUE |
| | | | PC LAYER | PMMA LAYER |
| 3 | PC/PMMA (REFRACTIVE INDEX RATIO=1.07) | 1 | 0.072 | 0.078 | 236 | TRANSPARENTLY FRESH PURPLISH BLUE |
| 4 | 5 | 0.120 | 0.026 | 106 | PURPLISH BLUE |
| | | | COPOLYMERIZED PET LAYER | NY-6 LAYER |
| 5 | COPOLYMERIZED PET/NY-6 (REFRACTIVE INDEX RATIO=1.03) | 1 | 0.074 | 0.076 | 102 | PURPLISH BLUE |
| | | | COPOLYMERIZED PET LAYER | NY-6 LAYER |
| 6 | COPOLYMERIZED PET/NY-6 (REFRACTIVE INDEX RATIO=1.07) | 1 | 0.073 | 0.076 | 241 | TRANSPARENTLY FRESH PURPLISH BLUE |
| 7 | 5 | 0.118 | 0.025 | 113 | PURPLISH BLUE |
| | | | PPS LAYER | PMMA LAYER |
| 8 | | 1 | 0.064 | 0.077 | 272 | TRANSPARENTLY FRESH GREENISH BLUE |
| 9 | PPS/PMMA (REFRACTIVE INDEX RATIO=1.20) | 5 | 0.107 | 0.025 | 251 | TRANSPARENTLY FRESH GREENISH BLUE |
| 10 | 10 | 0.116 | 0.014 | 209 | FRESH GREENISH BLUE |
| 11 | | 15 | 0.120 | 0.010 | 135 | FRESH GREENISH BLUE |
