JP5506518B2 - Optical mouse mat - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mat for an optical mouse that has a high optical mouse response and is highly transparent.

A ball-type mouse (a mouse that moves wheels indirectly with an exposed ball) has advantages such as easy detection of diagonal movements and easy transmission of subtle hand movements, but on the other hand, It is necessary to disassemble and clean it from time to time because it easily loses dust and gradually loses its comfortable operating performance.
For this reason, since the development of optical mice that do not require disassembly and cleaning, optical mice have rapidly spread.

This optical mouse is operated by irradiating a light beam such as an infrared ray or an LED on the desk from the bottom surface of the mouse, and detecting the reflected light by an optical sensor built in the mouse.
Therefore, for example, “mirror finish or glossy (strongly reflective)”, “transparent such as glass (transmitted without reflection)”, “irregular surface”, “ There is a problem that a mouse pad that appropriately reflects light rays must be used when used on “characters, figures, photographs, etc. that have a drastic change in color pattern”. Therefore, a mouse pad having a color printing surface is generally used (Patent Document 1, etc.).

On the other hand, desk mats that are highly transparent are mainly used in view of visibility when a document is sandwiched between the desk mat and the desk. Further, as a mat for an expensive glass table, a highly transparent one is preferred in order to secure a high-class feeling of glass while obtaining an effect of preventing scratches.
On a desk laid with such a transparent mat (desk mat, table mat), in order to operate the optical mouse satisfactorily, it is essential to use a mouse pad that appropriately reflects light rays as described above. Or it is necessary to use a colored sheet under a transparent mat.

However, the mouse pad impairs the visibility of documents sandwiched under the desk mat, and it can be a hindrance when the mouse is not used, and the mouse can only be operated on the pad, so the operation is restricted. was there.
In addition, the mat on which the colored sheet is laid (the mat with the underlay) has a problem in that the sense of quality is impaired particularly when laid on a glass table or the like.

JP 2006-155625 A

In consideration of the present situation as described above, the present invention is a highly transparent mat, and the response (operation performance) of an optical mouse is extremely high without using a mouse pad or accessories such as the underlay as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a mat for an optical mouse that is very good.
Specifically, a mat that can handle an optical mouse while having a total light transmittance of 65% or more measured in accordance with JIS-K7361-1, and a haze measured in accordance with JIS-K7105 of 15% or less. It is an issue to provide.

  The inventors of the present invention have made extensive studies to solve the above problems, and by dispersing a specific amount of specific aluminum fine particles in the surface layer, infrared rays emitted from the bottom of the mouse despite being transparent. Since light such as an LED can be appropriately reflected, it has been found that an optical mouse mat having excellent mouse response and transparency can be obtained.

The present invention has been achieved under such knowledge, and the gist thereof is as follows.
(1) at least, synthetic resin 100 parts by weight, an average particle diameter have a surface layer in which the 5~50μm aluminum particles 0.05-0.50 parts by weight is dispersed, in accordance with JIS-K7361-1 optical mouse corresponding mat you, wherein the total light transmittance to be measured is 65% or more.
(2) The mat for optical mice according to (1), wherein the synthetic resin is a vinyl chloride resin or an olefin resin.
( 3 ) The mat for optical mice according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the haze measured according to JIS-K7105 is 15% or less.

The mat for optical mice of the present invention is embossed that is widely distributed in the market in addition to excellent transparency by using specific aluminum particles that promote diffuse reflection of light irradiated from the optical mouse. It achieves the same or better response than the type and blasted type optical mouse mat. Further, since there is no need for embossing or blasting, transparency is not impaired.
In addition, the optical mouse mat of the present invention can be used for mirror finishes, glossy items (white top plate, etc.), transparent tables such as glass, etc. without using accessories such as underlays or a mouse pad. By simply laying down, the optical mouse can be operated with sufficiently high accuracy and the limited desk space can be used effectively.

It is important that the mat for an optical mouse of the present invention has a surface layer in which 0.05 to 0.50 parts by weight of aluminum fine particles having an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 μm are dispersed with respect to at least 100 parts by weight of a synthetic resin. It is. The mat for an optical mouse having the above “surface layer” of the present invention includes both α) a single-layer sheet composed of only the surface layer and β) a multilayer sheet having the surface layer on the outermost surface.
The compounding amount of the aluminum fine particles is 0.05 to 0.50 parts by weight, preferably 0.10 to 0.20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the synthetic resin forming the surface layer. If the amount of aluminum fine particles is less than 0.05 parts by weight, the response (operation performance) to the optical mouse is lowered, and if it exceeds 0.50 parts by weight, the response is improved but the density of the aluminum fine particles is high. Desired total light transmittance and haze cannot be obtained.

If the average particle size of the aluminum fine particles is less than 5 μm, the reflectance of the light rays by the aluminum fine particles cannot be sufficiently increased, and it becomes difficult to obtain a desired response, and the handleability also decreases.
If it is larger than 50 μm, the total light transmittance tends to decrease or haze tends to increase, and the dispersion stability of the aluminum fine particles is hindered. Therefore, the thickness is preferably 8 to 40 μm, more preferably 15 to 35 μm.

The aluminum fine particles in the present invention have various particle sizes from small to large, even if the average particle size is within the above range, even if the particles are composed of almost the same particle size. Can be mixed. Further, the shape of the aluminum fine particles is not particularly limited, but for example, a shape that promotes irregular reflection of light rays irradiated from an optical mouse such as a rugby ball shape or a spherical shape is preferable.
Examples of the aluminum fine particles include aluminum alloys and aluminum oxide (aluminum whose surface is oxidized and alumina has a surface layer).

Synthetic resins that form the surface layer include polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylic, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacetal, and polyamide. Polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyimide, cellulose acetate, cellophane, urethane, polyvinyl alcohol, triacetyl cellulose, polyester, unsaturated polyester, allyl Alkyd series, epoxy series, silicone series, nylon series resin and the like. Depending on the intended use, two or more of the above resins can be used in combination.
Among them, an olefin resin or a vinyl chloride resin that has high transparency, is easy to reuse, and has excellent moldability is preferable.

  Examples of olefin resins include ionomer resins, α-olefin homopolymers, and copolymers with different monomers mainly composed of α-olefins. Specifically, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene are used. A copolymer, an ethylene-butene copolymer, an ethylene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, and the like. Two or more kinds can be used in combination.

Examples of vinyl chloride resins include vinyl chloride homopolymer resins, copolymer resins of vinyl chloride and other monomers, mixtures of two or more of these, or vinyl chloride homopolymer resins and copolymer resins and other resins. A blend of resins can also be used (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a vinyl chloride resin).
Examples of other monomers copolymerized with vinyl chloride include vinyl acetate, ethylene, propylene, maleic acid ester, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid ester, acrylic acid ester, higher vinyl ether, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Can also be used together.
Other resins blended with the vinyl chloride resin include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer resin, polyurethane resin, chlorinated polyurethane resin, polymethacrylate resin, etc. These can be blended alone or in combination of two or more.

In the surface layer, in order to enhance the dispersibility of the aluminum fine particles in the synthetic resin, for example, the surface of the aluminum fine particles may be coated with a coating agent, or a dispersing agent or the like may be appropriately combined with the particles with the synthetic resin. You may add to.
As this coating agent, a coupling agent containing an element such as Si, Ti, Zr, or Al is used. For example, a silane coupling agent such as trimethoxysilane is preferably used.
Moreover, as a dispersing agent, various surfactants, phosphate ester compounds, etc. are used suitably.

In addition to the above-described aluminum fine particles, the surface layer may contain a plasticizer, an antistatic agent, a flame retardant, a (light) stabilizer, a lubricant, a colorant, a viscosity modifier, an antibacterial agent, if necessary. You may mix | blend various additives, such as an agent.
Regarding the addition of a colorant or the like, it is necessary to consider so as not to impair the transparency of the resulting mat.
Examples of the antistatic agent include nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and the like. By adding to the surface layer, dust adhesion on the mat surface can be suppressed.

  Although the thickness of a surface layer can be suitably selected according to the use of the mat obtained, it is preferably 10 to 700 μm, more preferably 100 to 500 μm. If the thickness of the surface layer is too thin, the dispersion of the aluminum fine particles becomes high density, which causes a decrease in transparency. If it is too thick, the density of the aluminum fine particles is lowered, but the response to the optical mouse may be inferior.

In the mat for optical mice according to the present invention, a base layer can be laminated on the surface layer.
As the base layer, as in the case of the synthetic resin forming the surface layer, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polystyrene-based, polybutadiene-based, polyvinyl acetate-based, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer system, acrylic-based, polytetra- Fluoroethylene, polyacetal, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyimide, cellulose acetate, cellophane, urethane, polyvinyl alcohol, triacetyl cellulose, polyester At least one of polyester, unsaturated polyester, allyl, alkyd, epoxy, silicone, nylon resin, etc. can be used, but the visibility (transparency) of the resulting mat and the reflectivity of the surface layer Inhibit Be those not, and considering also such adhesion to the surface layer, it is preferable to use the same synthetic resin as the surface layer. Such a base layer may be a single layer or a multilayer.
Also in the base layer, as with the surface layer, various additives such as a plasticizer, an antistatic agent, a flame retardant, a (light) stabilizer, a lubricant, a colorant, a viscosity modifier, and an antibacterial agent are blended as necessary. In addition, it is necessary to consider the addition of a colorant or the like so as not to impair the transparency of the mat.

As for the method for forming an optical mouse mat, the synthetic resin composition containing the above-mentioned aluminum fine particles and other additives is used for calender molding, extrusion molding, and inflation molding that are used for general sheet or film molding. It may be formed by various molding methods such as cast molding.
When the base layer is provided, it can be produced by a conventionally used coextrusion molding method, calendar lamination method, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

Further, when the base layer is provided, the thickness ratio between the surface layer and the base layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of transparency, visibility, moldability, practicality, and that do not hinder the reflectivity of the surface layer. The surface layer: base layer is preferably in the range of 1: 2 to 1: 8.
Regarding the thickness of the entire mat for optical mice, there is no particular problem as long as it is a thickness used as a general mat (desk mat or table mat). A profound feeling like this may be produced. In general, a desk mat or a table mat is preferably 0.5 to 4.0 mm.

When the surface layer and the base layer are made of a vinyl chloride resin, copy resistance (transfer resistance) may be imparted by providing a plasticizer migration preventing layer in the lowermost layer. Or you may provide self-adhesiveness to the optical mouse corresponding mat | matte itself by increasing the compounding quantity of a plasticizer or adding a tackifier.
The plasticizer migration prevention layer may be provided by i) blending a polymer plasticizer (for example, a polyester plasticizer), ii) providing a plasticizer non-migration film (for example, a fluorine film), or the like. Good.
In addition, the base layer itself can be used as a plasticizer migration preventing layer.

In the present invention, the transparency of the mat (molded body) is preferably such that the total light transmittance measured according to JIS-K7361-1 is 65% or more, more preferably 70% or more. In addition, the haze measured according to JIS-K7105 is preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less.
When the total light transmittance is lower than 65% or the haze exceeds 15%, the transparency (visibility) becomes insufficient, and it becomes impossible to make a mat for optical mice with high practicality.

  In the optical mouse mat according to the present invention, if the total light transmittance and haze are within the above ranges, embossing and blasting may be performed on the surface. Embossing and blasting can improve mouse response and mat rebound.

Examples 1-11, Comparative Examples 1-8
For the surface layer, a synthetic resin (vinyl chloride resin or olefin resin) and other compounds were mixed at a blending ratio shown in Tables 1 and 2 to prepare a composition.
On the other hand, for the base layer, a synthetic resin (vinyl chloride resin or olefin resin) and other compounds were mixed at a blending ratio shown in Table 3 to prepare a composition.
The prepared compositions were put into a surface layer extruder and a base layer extruder, respectively, and using a coextrusion molding machine having a screw with a diameter of 40 mm and a die with a diameter of 100 mm, the thickness ratio of each layer was : A long sheet having a width of about 100 cm and a thickness of about 1.5 mm was formed so that the base layer = 1: 4. Each obtained sheet | seat was cut | judged to the square shape whose length of one side is 1 m, and it was set as the mat | matte of Examples 1-11 and Comparative Examples 1-8.

The numbers in the above Tables 1 to 3 represent parts by weight.
(Raw material)
<Surface layer>
Polyvinyl chloride (average polymerization degree 1050): product name “S1001” manufactured by Kaneka Corporation
・ Olefin (Ionomer of ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer): Product name “HIMILAN 1705” manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd.
Aluminum fine particle A (average particle size: 9.5 μm): product name “B-584” manufactured by Fuji Dye
Aluminum fine particle B (average particle size 17.7 μm): product name “7752” manufactured by Fuji Dye
Aluminum fine particle C (average particle size 33.3 μm): product name “7753” manufactured by Fuji Dye
・ Calcium carbonate: Product name “Silver W” manufactured by Shiraishi Calcium
・ Mica: Product name “Pearl 400” manufactured by Fuji Dye
・ Ultramarine: Product name “S-650” manufactured by Fuji Dye
・ Plasticizer: Product name “DEHP” manufactured by CG Esther
-Epoxidized soybean oil: Product name “W-100EL” manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.
-Ba-Zn composite stabilizer: Adeka's product name "KKL-210"
・ Lubricant: Nippon Kasei Co., Ltd. Trade name “Sripacks E”

<Base layer>
Polyvinyl chloride (average polymerization degree 1050): product name “S1001” manufactured by Kaneka Corporation
・ Olefin (ethylene- (meth) methyl acrylate copolymer) manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name “Aklift WH206”
・ Plasticizer: Product name “DEHP” manufactured by CG Esther
-Epoxidized soybean oil: Product name “W-100EL” manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.
-Ba-Zn composite stabilizer: Adeka's product name "KKL-210"
・ Lubricant: Nippon Kasei Co., Ltd. Trade name “Sripacks E”

  About each obtained mat | matte, the following evaluation method evaluated the optical characteristic value and the response property of the optical mouse | mouth. The results are shown in Table 4.

<Optical characteristic value>
1. The haze (unit%) was measured based on JIS-K7105.
2. The total light transmittance (unit%) was measured based on JIS-K7361-1.

<Response of optical mouse>
About the movement of the pointer displayed on the LCD monitor screen attached to the personal computer after the two types of commercially available optical mice A and B are placed on the mats obtained and then operated freely. The evaluation was as follows.
A: Good B: Good, but occasionally gets caught during operation.
Δ: There is a catch, but it can be used.

Reference Examples 1-2
A commercially available one-sided embossed desk mat (trade name “Plus”, manufactured by Ryoxing Plastic Co., Ltd., without attached underlay: thickness 1.7 mm) was used as Reference Example 1.
A commercially available one-side blasted desk mat (manufactured by Iris Ohyama Co., Ltd .: thickness 1.5 mm) was used as Reference Example 2.
The optical characteristic value and the response property of the optical mouse were evaluated by the same evaluation method as described above. The results are also shown in Table 4.

  From Table 4, the mat of the present invention is a mat corresponding to an optical mouse since it has a low haze value and a high total light transmittance, and thus has excellent transparency and mouse response. I understand that.

Although the optical mouse mat of the present invention is transparent, it can properly reflect rays such as infrared rays and LEDs emitted from the bottom of the mouse, so it has excellent mouse response and transparency. Can be suitably used in a wide range of fields. Of course, it can be applied to a ball-type mouse.
For example, it is suitable not only for desk mats and table mats but also as a mouse pad material.

Claims (3)

At least with respect to the synthetic resin 100 parts by weight, average particle diameter have a surface layer in which the 5~50μm aluminum particles 0.05-0.50 parts by weight is dispersed, it is measured according to JIS-K7361-1 optical mouse corresponding mat you wherein a total light transmittance of 65% or more.   The mat for an optical mouse according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic resin is a vinyl chloride resin or an olefin resin. The mat for an optical mouse according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a haze measured according to JIS-K7105 is 15% or less.