Antiglare film, antiglare sheet, process for producing them, and image display apparatus using them

Abstract

An antiglare film and an antiglare sheet with which an image display apparatus excelling in contrast while maintaining excellent antiglare performance is obtained, and a simple process for producing them are provided. In the antiglare film of the present invention, a rugged shape in a first direction is substantially different from a rugged shape in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Preferably, an average gradient angle θa 1 of the rugged shape in the first direction is larger than an average gradient angle θa 2 of the rugged shape in the second direction. More preferably, a difference Δθa=θa 1 −θa 2 between the average gradient angle θa 1 and the average gradient angle θa 2 is 0.5° to 30°.

1 . An antiglare film in which a rugged shape in a first direction is substantially different from a rugged shape in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 
   
   
       2 . An antiglare film according  claim 1 , wherein an average gradient angle θa 1  of the rugged shape in the first direction is larger than an average gradient angle θa 2  of the rugged shape in the second direction. 
   
   
       3 . An antiglare film according to  claim 2 , wherein a difference Δθa=θa 1 −θa 2  between the average gradient angle θa 1  and the average gradient angle θa 2  is 0.5° to 30°. 
   
   
       4 . An antiglare film according to  claim 2 , wherein the average gradient angle θa 1  is 1° to 30°. 
   
   
       5 . An antiglare film according to  claim 2 , wherein the average gradient angle θa 2  is 0° to 5°. 
   
   
       6 . An antiglare film according to  claim 1 , having a thickness of 2 μm to 50 μm. 
   
   
       7 . An antiglare film according to  claim 1 , which is formed of a curable resin and subjected to embossment on a surface thereof. 
   
   
       8 . An antiglare film according to  claim 7 , wherein the curable resin is at least one selected from an acrylic resin, a urethane-based resin, and an epoxy-based resin. 
   
   
       9 . An antiglare sheet comprising a base and the antiglare film, placed on the base, according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       10 . An antiglare sheet according to  claim 9 , wherein the base contains a polyester-based resin. 
   
   
       11 . An optical laminate comprising the antiglare film according to  claim 1  or an antiglare sheet comprising a base and the antiglare film, placed on the base or wherein the base contains a polyester-based resin, and a polarizer. 
   
   
       12 . An optical laminate according to  claim 11 , wherein an angle formed by an absorption axis of the polarizer and the first direction in the antiglare film is substantially 45° or −45° in a clockwise direction. 
   
   
       13 . An optical laminate according to  claim 11 , wherein an absorption axis of the polarizer and the first direction are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       14 . An image display apparatus comprising  claim 1 , an antiglare sheet comprising a base and the antiglare film, placed on the base or wherein the base contains a polyester-based resin, or an optical laminate comprising the antiglare film according to  claim 1  or the antiglare sheet comprising a base and the antiglare film, placed on the base or wherein the base contains a polyester-based resin and a polarizer. 
   
   
       15 . An image display apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the antiglare film, the antiglare sheet, or the optical laminate is placed so that the first direction corresponds to a horizontal direction of a display screen, and the second direction corresponds to a vertical direction of the display screen. 
   
   
       16 . A process for producing an antiglare film, comprising:
 applying a solution of a curable resin to form a resin film;   forming a predetermined rugged shape in a first direction of the resin film, and   forming a rugged shape, which is different from the rugged shape in the first   direction, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and   curing the resin film with the rugged shape formed thereon.   
   
   
       17 . An process for producing an antiglare film according to  claim 16 , wherein the rugged shape is formed by embossment.