Title of Invention: Method of forming multilayer coating films and multilayer coating films Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a multilayer coating film comprising the step (I) of coating an article to be coated with an electrodeposition coating containing two resin components incompatible with each other followed by curing by heating to form an electrodeposited coating film, the step (II) of applying a water-borne intermediate coating onto the electrodeposited coating film to form an uncured intermediate coating film, the step (III) of applying a water-borne base coating onto the intermediate coating film to form an uncured base coating film, the step (IV) of applying a clear coating onto the base coating film to form an uncured clear coating film and the step (V) of curing the intermediate coating film, the base coating film and the clear coating film simultaneously by heating to thereby obtain a multilayer coating film. Brief Summary: The present invention relates to a method of forming a multilayer coating film utilizing a three-wet coating system which comprises applying a water-borne intermediate coating, a water-borne base coating and a clear coating, in that order, onto an electrodeposited coating film formed on an article to be coated in the wet-on-wet manner and curing simultaneously by heating. More specifically, it relates to a method of forming a multilayer coating film by which the multilayer coating film excellent in chipping resistance can be obtained, and to a multilayer coating film obtained by that method. In recent years it has been urgently demanded that the coating process be curtailed in the field of coatings, in particular in the field of automobile coatings, so that the problems of saving resources, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impacts (VOC and HAPs, etc.) may be solved. In the conventional procedure for finishing coating automobiles, the three-coat three-bake coating technique has been used, namely the electrodeposited coating film, intermediate coating film and top coating film are baked each time after application of each corresponding coating. In recent years, however, it has been demanded that those coating film performance characteristics which can be exhibited by the three-coat films obtained by the conventional three-coat three-bake coating technique be acquired by employing the three-wet coating system according to which the three coating steps, namely intermediate coating, base coating and clear coating, are carried out in the wet-on-wet manner following the step of electrodeposition coating and baking of the electrodeposited coating film and the resulting wet coating films are baked simultaneously, while thereby reducing the number of baking process steps. Among the coating film performance characteristics referred to above, the shock resistance, in particular the so-called chipping resistance to collision of pebbles or like obstacles with the car body during running, can be secured by the conventional three-coat three-bake coating technique, for example by providing a particular intermediate coating film having chipping resistance. In the three-wet coating system mentioned above, however, the conventional intermediate coatings cannot be used since the coating films obtained tend to be impaired in appearance due to such troubles as blurring or layer inversion. The coating films obtained by the three-wet coating system are disadvantageous in that they are low in shock resistance and chipping resistance. Japanese Kokai Publication Sho-62-65765 discloses a technique according to which a resin layer capable of absorbing a shock to coating films (the so-called anti-chipping primer layer) is provided during multilayer coating film formation, in particular between the electrodeposited coating film and intermediate coating film. However, further incorporation of such a step in the car body coating process is against the market needs for curtailment of the process and for cost saving mentioned above. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming a multilayer coating film by which the multilayer coating film comparable in shock resistance, in particular chipping resistance, to the conventional three-coat films can be formed in the three-wet one-bake coating system which is intended for coating process curtailment, cost reduction and environmental impact reduction. The present invention provides a method of forming a multilayer coating film comprising the step (I) of coating an article to be coated with an electrodeposition coating followed by curing by heating to form an electrodeposited coating film, the step (II) of applying a water-borne intermediate coating onto said electrodeposited coating film to form an uncured intermediate coating film, the step (III) of applying a water-borne base coating onto said intermediate coating film to form an uncured base coating film, the step (IV) of applying a clear coating onto said base coating film to form an uncured clear coating film and the step (V) of curing said intermediate coating film, said base coating film and said clear coating film simultaneously by heating to thereby obtain a multilayer coating film, wherein said electrodeposition coating contains a particle A containing a resin (a) whose solubility parameter is xcex4a as well as a particle B containing a curing agent and a resin (b) whose solubility parameter is xcex4b and satisfies that (1) the value of (xcex4bxe2x88x92xcex4a) is not less than 1.0, (2) as regards the electrodeposited coating film formed from said electrodeposition coating, the resin film formed from said particle A shows a dynamic glass transition temperature of xe2x88x92110 to 10xc2x0 C. and the coating film obtained by film formation from said particle A alone shows an elongation percentage of not less than 200% and (3) as regards the electrodeposited coating film formed from said electrodeposition coating, the resin film formed from said particle B shows a dynamic glass transition temperature of 60 to 150xc2x0 C., and wherein said water-borne intermediate coating contains an elastomer. The invention is also directed to a multilayer coating film which is obtained by the above-mentioned method of forming a multilayer coating film. The method of forming a multilayer coating film according to the present invention comprises the step (I) of coating an article to be coated with an electrodeposition coating followed by curing by heating to form an electrodeposited coating film, the step (II) of applying a water-borne intermediate coating onto the above electrodeposited coating film to form an uncured intermediate coating film, the step (III) of applying a water-borne base coating onto the intermediate coating film to form an uncured base coating film, the step (IV) of applying a clear coating onto the above base coating film to form an uncured clear coating film and the step (V) of curing the above intermediate coating film, the above base coating film and the above clear coating film simultaneously by heating to thereby obtain a multilayer coating film. Step (I) In the method of forming a multilayer coating film according to the invention, the above step (1) comprises applying an electrodeposition coating on an article to be coated, followed by curing by heating to form an electrodeposited coating film. Electrodeposition Coating The above electrodeposition coating contains a particle A containing a resin (a) whose solubility parameter is xcex4a as well as a particle B containing a curing agent and a resin (b) whose solubility parameter is xcex4b and in which (1) the value of (xcex4bxe2x88x92xcex4a) is not less than 1.0, (2) as regards the electrodeposited coating film formed from the above electrodeposition coating, the resin film formed from the above particle A shows a dynamic glass transition temperature of xe2x88x92110 to 10xc2x0 C., and the coating film obtained by film formation from the above particle A alone shows an elongation percentage of not less than 200%, and (3) as regards the electrodeposited coating film formed from the above electrodeposition coating, the resin film formed from the above particle B shows a dynamic glass transition temperature of 60 to 150xc2x0 C. The above electrodeposition coating, in which two resin components incompatible with each other are used, can form an electrodeposited coating film having a multilayer structure so that a resin layer having corrosion resistance may be formed on the side in contact with the article to be coated and a resin layer having shock resistance (chipping resistance) on the side in contact with air to thereby attain high levels of corrosion resistance and shock resistance simultaneously. The above electrodeposition coating contains a particle A containing a resin (a) whose solubility parameter is xcex4a as well as a particle B containing a curing agent and a resin (b) whose solubility parameter is xcex4b. In the present specification, it is meant that particles A and particles B are prepared in the form of separate emulsions and are mixed up in preparing the electrodeposition coating but occur as separate particles in the coating without being fused together. In the above electrodeposition coating, the difference (xcex4bxe2x88x92xcex4a) between the solubility parameter xcex4a of the above resin (a) and the solubility parameter xcex4b of the above resin (b), is not less than 1.0. By selecting two incompatible or hardly compatible resin components such that the value of (xcex4bxe2x88x92xcex4a) is not less than 1.0, it becomes possible to form electrodeposited coating films having a multilayer structure. It is generally considered that when the difference in solubility parameter between resins is 0.5 or more, the compatibility between them is lost and the coating films show a structure reflecting phase separation. In the case of the above electrodeposition coating, however, it is necessary that a coating film structure showing distinct layer separation be formed and, therefore, it is necessary that the difference in solubility parameter be at least 1.0 or more. If the difference is less than 1.0, any coating film structure showing distinct layer separation will not be formed in the step of electrodeposition coating, hence the levels of shock resistance, in particular chipping resistance, and corrosion resistance which are attainable simultaneously will be unsatisfactory. The above-mentioned solubility parameter xcex4 is generally called SP (solubility parameter) and is an index of the hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity of a resin and serves as an important index in estimating the compatibility between resins. The above solubility parameter can be expressed numerically based on the hitherto-known technique of turbidimetry measurement by skilled in the art (K. W. Suh, D. H. Clarke, J. Polymer. Sci., A-1, 5, 1671 (1967)). Among the above resins (a) and (b), the one having a higher solubility parameter, namely resin (b), is higher in affinity for the electroconductive substrate surface such as a metal, which is higher in surface polarity, so that the electrodeposited coating film formed from particles B containing the resin (b) is formed on the side contacting the conductive substrate made of a metal or like material in the step of curing by heating. On the other hand, the particles A containing resin (a) migrate toward the air-contacting side to form another resin layer. Thus, the difference in solubility parameter between the two resins is considered to serve as a driving force for causing resin layer separation. The state of the above resin layer separation can be confirmed by visual observation of a section of the electrodeposited coating film by means of a video microscope or observation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM observation). For identifying the resin components constituting the respective resin layers, a total reflection Fourier transform infrared photometer (FTIR-ATR), for instance, can be used. Of the electrodeposited coating film formed from the above electrodeposition coating, the resin film formed from the particles A containing resin (a) mentioned above shows a dynamic glass transition temperature of xe2x88x92110 to 10xc2x0 C. If it is above 10xc2x0 C., the coating film obtained from particles A will be poor in flexibility or shock resistance. If it is below xe2x88x92110xc2x0 C., it is difficult in practice to prepare. Preferred is xe2x88x92100to xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. The above-mentioned dynamic glass transition temperature can be measured by using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus such as Rheovibron (product of Orientec) or a Rheometrics dynamic analyzer (product of Rheometrics) following electrodeposition coating of a substrate with the above electrodeposition coating, curing and peeling of the electrodeposited coating film using mercury. As regards the particles A containing resin (a) mentioned above, the coating film obtained by film formation from the particles A alone shows an elongation percentage of not less than 200%. When it is less than 200%, the coating films obtained become poor in elasticity. Preferably, it is not less than 500%. The above elongation percentage can be determined according to JIS K 6301. The above resin (a) is not particularly restricted on condition that the above characteristics requirements are satisfied. Thus, it includes, for example, homopolymers of a conjugated diene monomer such as butadiene, isoprene or chloroprene, or random or block copolymers of a conjugated diene monomer and such a monomer as ethylene, propylene, ethylidene, norbornene, dicyclopentadiene, 1,4-hexadiene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, styrene, acrylonitrile, isobutylene or (meth)acrylic acid (ester); polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomers synthesized by polyaddition reaction of a diisocyanate and a diol; polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers synthesized by transesterification and polycondensation reactions using dimethyl terephthalate, 1,4-butanediol, poly(tetramethylene) glycol, etc. as raw materials; and polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers synthesized by transesterification and polycondensation reactions using a lactam, a dicarboxylic acid and polyether diol as raw materials. In the above electrodeposition coating, the above resin (a) is preferably an elastomer (rubber) produced by polymerizing a monomer component comprising at least 50% by weight of a conjugated diene monomer in view of the possible shock resistance manifestation level, economy (cost) and general versatility. If the diene content is less than 50% by weight, it will become difficult to constitute a resin layer showing the above glass transition temperature and elongation percentage in the step of coating film formation and, as a result, the shock resistance and chipping resistance will decrease. An elastomer produced by polymerizing a monomer component comprising not less than 60% by weight of a conjugated diene monomer is preferred and not less than 65% is more preferred. The molecule of the above resin (a) may contain, within the molecular structure and/or at a terminus thereof, a reactive group or polar group such as a hydroxyl, amino, vinyl, carboxyl, urethane or urea group. The above reactive group or polar group can be introduced by copolymerizing a monomer component comprising a reactive or polar group-containing monomer in the step of preparing a resin (a) or by a method known in the art into a resin (a) obtained by copolymerization. The above copolymerization is preferably carried out in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator. As the radical polymerization initiator, there may be mentioned, for example, azo initiators such as 2,2xe2x80x2-azobisisobutyronitrile and 2,2xe2x80x2-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile); and peroxide initiators such as benzoyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide and tert-butyl peroctoate. These initiators are used in an amount of 0.2 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 5 part by weight, per 100 parts by weight of polymerizable monomers in total. When the above resin (a) is an oligomer (liquid rubber) having a number average molecular weight less than 10,000, the resin is highly sticky and, as such, has low shock resistance performance characteristics, so that it is necessary to subject the same to curing reaction in the step of coating film formation in order to express the desired coating film performance characteristics, such as shock resistance. In that case, it is preferred that hydroxyl groups are contained so as to give a hydroxyl value within the range of 20 to 200. At a hydroxyl value less than 20, the coating film may fail to be cured to a sufficient extent, hence fail to express satisfactory rubber performance characteristics such as sufficient elongation percentage. If it is above 200, excess hydroxyl groups remain in the coating film after curing, hence the water resistance may decrease. Furthermore, the hardness of the cured coating film increases, leading to failure to express a sufficient level of elongation percentage. When the above resin (a) has a high number average molecular weight not less than 10,000, if it has little stickiness without curing and shows sufficient shock resistance performance characteristics, a curing reaction is not particularly required in the step of coating film formation. In such cases, it is not necessary to provide the resin structure with reactive groups or polar groups in advance. The molecular weight of the above resin (a) is not particularly restricted but preferably is within the range of 1,000 to 200,000 in terms of number average molecular weight. If it is less than 1,000, it will be difficult to obtain coating films showing an elongation percentage exceeding 200% even when the crosslinking reaction is effectively carried out in the step of coating film formation. If it exceeds 200,000, the resin solution will become highly viscous so that not only the handling of the obtained resin in such operations as emulsification/dispersion becomes difficult but also film appearance of the electrodeposited coating films obtained may be markedly impaired. Further, in some instances, it becomes difficult, due to the high viscosity, to secure layer separation in the step of baking of coating films. The above resin (a), when emulsified and dispersed, independently of the resin (b), in an aqueous medium, constitutes the particles A. The above resin (a) may introduce a cationic group such as an amino group among the above-mentioned reactive or polar groups by a urethane-forming reaction or the like to use the resulting products as they are or self-emulsifiable and dispersible in an aqueous medium by using a neutralizing agent. Or, it is also possible to emulsify or disperse it in an aqueous medium by separately applying a cationic emulsifier. On that occasion, if necessary, an appropriate amount of a curing agent, for instance, maybe added to the resin and emulsified/dispersed together. As the above neutralizing agent, there may be mentioned inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid; and organic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, sulfamic acid and acetylglycine acid. In the above electrodeposition coating, the resin (a) is preferably emulsified/dispersed in an aqueous medium using a cationic emulsifier, since the hydrophobicity of the particles A containing resin (a) as a whole then increases and a multilayer structure with a distinct layer separation can be obtained. The above cationic emulsifier is not particularly restricted but maybe anyone having a cationic group. Preferably, it has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 200,000. If it is less than 1,000, the water resistance of coating films may be adversely affected. If it exceeds 200,000, the system will become highly viscous in the step of baking of coating films, so that the layer separation may possibly be inhibited. For securing the emulsifiability/dispersibility of the above resin (a), the cationic group content of the above cationic emulsifier, namely the content of the amino group, ammonium salt group or sulfonium salt group in the emulsifier, is preferably about 30 to 150 as expressed in terms of amine value equivalent. If it is less than 30, the effect of emulsifying/dispersing the resin (a) will be poor. If it exceeds 150, the water resistance and other properties of coating films may be adversely affected. The above cationic emulsifier is incorporated preferably in an amount within the range of 10 to 50% by weight on the solid basis relative to 100 parts by weight of the resin (a) on the solid basis. If the amount is less than 10% by weight, the dispersion stability of the emulsion will become poor and if it exceeds 50% by weight, not only the water resistance of coating films will deteriorate but also it will become difficult for such characteristic features owing to resin (a) as shock resistance to be fully expressed. The above cationic emulsifier can be prepared by providing the main chain of a resin with a cationic group by carrying out an appropriate reaction by a method known in the art. The resin skeleton of the above cationic emulsifier is not particularly restricted but may be an acrylic resin, epoxy resin, liquid rubber (elastomer), polyurethane or polyether, or a modified resin based thereon, for instance. Those having the above-mentioned acrylic resin as the resin skeleton can be synthesized, for example, by subjecting an acrylic copolymer containing a plurality of epoxy groups within the molecule and an amine to ring opening addition reaction. Thus, a cationic acrylic resin can be obtained by copolymerizing an epoxy group-containing acrylic monomer such as glycidyl (meth)acrylate with another monomer and subjecting all the epoxy groups of the resulting epoxy group-containing acrylic resin to ring opening by reacting with an amine. The above amine is not particularly restricted but mention may be made of, for example, primary, secondary and tertiary amine acid salts such as butylamine, octylamine, diethylamine, dibutylamine, methylbutylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, triethylamine acid salts and N,N-dimethylethanolamine acid salts. Ketimine-blocked primary amino group-containing secondary amines, such as aminoethylethanolamine methyl isobutyl ketimine, may also be used. For causing all epoxy rings to open, it is necessary that these amines be reacted with the epoxy rings at least in an equivalent amount. The above cationic acrylic resin can also be obtained by a direct synthetic method comprising copolymerizing an amino group-containing acrylic monomer with another monomer. The above amino group-containing acrylic monomer includes N,N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate and N,N-di-tert-butylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, etc. The other monomer to be copolymerized with the above epoxy group-containing acrylic monomer or amino group-containing acrylic monomer is not particularly restricted but includes, for example, hydroxyl group-containing acrylic monomers, other acrylic monomers and non-acrylic monomers. The hydroxyl group-containing acrylic monomers mentioned above can serve to increase the reactivity in curing, hence are preferably used. When the resin skeleton is the above-mentioned epoxy resin, a cationic group can be introduced therein by modifying the epoxy groups in the resin in the same manner as mentioned above. When the resin skeleton is the above-mentioned liquid rubber (elastomer), polyurethane or polyether, a cationic group can be introduced therein by subjecting hydroxyl, carboxyl, epoxy or like groups occurring at the molecular terminus and/or in the middle of the molecular structure to urethane formation reaction or addition reaction of an amine. The cationic emulsifier mentioned above may have a primary hydroxyl group introduced therein for providing the reactivity in curing or a long-chain alkyl group, such as stearyl, dodecyl or octyl groups, introduced therein for improving the ability to be adsorbed on the above resin (a). These can be introduced by reacting functional groups in the main chain with a hydroxyl group-containing secondary amine or a long-chain alkyl group-containing secondary amine, or by copolymerization using a monomer having such a group. In the above cationic emulsifier, the above cationic group plays a role as a hydrophilic group. Furthermore, the mutual adsorption with the above resin (a) can be secured by means of the flexible main chain moiety and hydrophobic moieties such as alkyl groups or benzene structures occurring in the cationic emulsifier. The above cationic emulsifier can be dissolved or dispersed as such in an aqueous medium. The above-mentioned particles A may contain a curing agent. The above curing agent includes isocyanate curing agents, melamine curing agents and amide curing agents. Preferred are blocked polyisocyanates. As examples of the polyisocyanates serving as raw materials for the above blocked polyisocyanates, there may be mentioned aliphatic diisocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate and trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate; alicyclic polyisocyanates such as isophoronediisocyanate and 4,4xe2x80x2-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate); aromatic diisocyanates such as 4,4xe2x80x2-diphenylmethanediisocyanate, tolylene diisocyanate and xylylene diisocyanate, and polymers derived from these. The above-mentioned blocked polyisocyanates can be obtained by blocking these with an appropriate blocking agent. Examples of the blocking agent are monohydric alkyl (or aromatic) alcohols such as n-butanol, n-hexyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, lauryl alcohol, phenolcarbinol and methylphenylcarbinol; cellosolves such as ethylene glycol monohexyl ether and ethylene glycol mono-2-ethylhexyl ether; phenols such as phenol, p-tert-butylphenol and cresol; oximes such as dimethyl ketoxime, methyl ethyl ketoxime, methyl isobutyl ketoxime, methyl amyl ketomixe and cyclohexanone oxime; and lactams such as xcex5-caprolactam and xcex3-butyrolactam. Oximes and lactams are preferred from the viewpoint of resin curability since these dissociate at low temperature. The percentage of blocking with the above blocking agent is preferably 100% so that the storage stability of the coating can be secured. The above polyisocyanates and blocking agents may respectively be used singly or two or more may be used in combination. A plurality of the resulting blocked polyisocyanates may also be used in combination for the purpose of adjusting the coating film physical properties or the degree of curing. In curing the resin layer composed of the particles A containing the resin (a) mentioned above in the above step (I), it is preferred that the solubility parameter (xcex4i) of at least one curing agent such as mentioned above have a value between the solubility parameter xcex4a of resin (a) and the solubility parameter xcex4b of resin (b), namely satisfy the relation xcex4a less than xcex4i less than xcex4b. This makes it possible for the blocked polyisocyanate to be distributed and dissolved in the respective layers after separation into two layers, whereby the curability of the layer containing resin (a) can be secured and the simultaneous curing of the layer containing resin (b) can be realized, with the result that the interlayer adhesion in the multilayer film can be improved and the multilayer appearance after top coating can further be improved. Further, as means for promoting distribution and dissolution the blocked polyisocyanate in the resin layer comprising the particles A containing the above resin (a), it is also possible to devise that a blocked polyisocyanate partly having an unblocked isocyanato group be reacted with the hydroxyl group which the above resin (a) contains in advance so that the resin (a) and curing agent can migrate together on the occasion of layer separation involving simultaneous curing of the layer containing resin (a) and the layer containing resin (b). The mixing ratio of the above blocked polyisocyanate to the resin (a) may vary according to the degree of crosslinking required for the intended use of the cured coating films, but, in view of physical properties of coating films and the applicability for the top coating, it is preferably within the range of 10 to 50% by weight, on the solid basis, relative to 100 parts by weight of the resin (a) on the solid basis. An amount less than 10% by weight will lead to insufficient curing of coating films, hence decreased physical properties of coating films, such as decreased mechanical strength thereof and, in some instances, to a bad appearance resulting from coating film erosion by the thinner of the coating in the step of top coating. An amount exceeding 50% by weight may conversely cause excessive curing, resulting in poor physical properties of coating films, such as poor shock resistance. In the electrodeposited coating film formed from the above-mentioned electrodeposition coating, the resin layer formed from the particles B containing the above resin (b) has a dynamic glass transition temperature of 60 to 150xc2x0 C. When it is lower than 60xc2x0 C., the difference in solubility parameter from that (xcex4a) of resin (a) cannot be made not less than 1.0 but the film obtained will be poor in corrosion resistance. If it is above 150xc2x0 C., the coating film obtained will be too hard, allowing cracking in some instances. It is preferably 80 to 140xc2x0 C. The above dynamic glass transition temperature can be determined according to the method mentioned above. From the viewpoint of expression of good rust preventing effects on electroconductive substrates, it is preferred that the above resin (b) be a cation-modified epoxy resin. The above cation-modified epoxy resin can be produced by reacting, for ring opening, the epoxy ring in a starting material resin molecule with an amine such as a primary amine, secondary amine or tertiary amine acid salt. The above starting material resin is preferably a polyphenol polyglycidyl ether type epoxy resin which is the product resulting from the reaction of a polycyclic phenol compound, such as bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, phenol novolak or cresol novolak, with epichlorohydrin. As examples for other starting material resins, there may be mentioned those oxazolidone ring-containing epoxy resins which are described in Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-05-306327. These epoxy resins are obtained by reacting, with epichlorohydrin, a diisocyanate compound or a bisurethane compound obtained by blocking the NCO groups of a diisocyanate compound with a lower alcohol such as methanol or ethanol. The above starting material resin can be used after chain extension, prior to epoxy ring opening reaction with an amine, by means of a bifunctional polyester polyol, polyether polyol, a bisphenol, a dibasic carboxylic acid or the like. Similarly, prior to epoxy ring opening with an amine, a monohydroxy compound, such as 2-ethylhexanol, nonylphenol, ethylene glycol mono-2-ethylhexyl ether or propylene glycol mono-2-ethylhexyl ether, may be added partially to the epoxy ring for the purpose of adjusting the molecular weight or amine equivalent or improving the thermal flow characteristics. As the above amine, there may be mentioned those specifically mentioned hereinabove referring the cationic emulsifier. As for the method of introducing a cationic group into the above epoxy resin, the production method described in Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-11-209663 which comprises modifying the epoxy ring into a sulfonium salt is preferred. The above cation-modified epoxy resin preferably has a number average molecular weight in the range of 1,500 to 5,000. If it is less than 1,500, physical properties such as the solvent resistance and corrosion resistance of cured coating films may be poor. If it exceeds 5,000, it will become difficult to control the resin solution viscosity, hence to synthesize the resin, and the viscosity of the resin obtained will become high, hence difficult to handle in the step of emulsification/dispersion. Furthermore, in some instances, the flow characteristics will be poor in the step of heating/curing and the coating film appearance may be markedly impaired. The molecule of the above resin (b) is preferably designed such that the hydroxyl value thereof falls within the range of 50 to 250. If the hydroxyl value is less than 50, the curing of coating films will become insufficient and, if, conversely, it exceeds 250, excess hydroxyl groups will remain in the coating film after curing, whereby the water resistance may decrease. The particles B containing the resin (b) mentioned above contain a curing agent. The above curing agent is not particularly restricted in kind on condition that the resin component can be cured therewith upon heating and it includes those specifically mentioned herein above. Among them, mention may be made of blocked polyisocyanates, which are suited for use as curing agents for electrodeposited resins. The level of addition of the above curing agent is the same as mentioned hereinabove. The above resin (b), together with the above curing agent, is emulsified/dispersed as such in water to give an emulsion, or emulsified/dispersed in water to give a cationized emulsion by treatment for neutralization using a sufficient amount of a neutralizing agent to neutralize the amino groups occurring in each resin. In the step of emulsion preparation, it is also possible to use the cationic emulsifier specifically mentioned hereinabove. The above method of emulsification/dispersion may be the same as mentioned hereinabove. The above electrodeposition coating can be prepared by mixing up the particles A and particles B obtained in the above manner. The mixing ratio between the above resin (a) constituting particles A and the above resin (b) constituting particles B is preferably 5/95 to 70/30 by weight on the solid basis. If it is outside the above range, the cured coating film obtained after electrodeposition coating and baking may not have a multilayer structure; the resin used in a higher proportion may form a continuous phase while the resin used in a lower proportion may build up a dispersed phase-forming island structure (or microdomain structure). Even if a layer structure is formed, any one of the layers of the multilayer structure will have an extremely diminished thickness, so that any of the shock resistance (chipping resistance) and corrosion resistance will become very poor, hence it is not preferable. A more preferred range is within 10/90 to 60/40. The resin layer formed from the above particles A preferably has a dry film thickness of 1 to 20 xcexcm. If it is less than 1 xcexcm, the coating film obtained cannot be expected to be satisfactory in shock absorbing capacity. If it exceeds 20 xcexcm, the surface roughness will increase, hence the coating film appearance is impaired. More preferred is 3 to 15 xcexcm. For securing those rust prevention, coating film appearance and hiding power required of the conventional electrodeposited coating films, the resin layer formed by the above particles B preferably has a dry film thickness of 5 to 40 xcexcm. If it is less than 5 xcexcm, the corrosion resistance of coating films will be insufficient. If it exceeds 40 xcexcm, the surface roughness will increase and thus the coating film appearance will be impaired, and the occurrence of coating film defects such as foaming will become remarkable. More preferred is 10 to 30 xcexcm. The above electrodeposition coating generally contains a pigment. The above pigment is not particularly restricted but may be any of those generally used in coatings. Thus, it includes, for example, organic color pigments such as azo chelate pigments, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, indigo pigments, perinone pigments, perylene pigments, dioxane pigments, quinacridone pigments, isoindolinone pigments and metal complex pigments; inorganic color pigments such as chrome yellow, yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide, carbon black, titanium dioxide and graphite; extender pigments such as calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, kaolin, aluminum silicate (clay) and talc; and rust preventive pigments such as aluminum phosphomolybdate, lead silicate, lead sulfate, zinc chromate and strontium chromate. Particularly important among them as pigments to be contained in the cured multilayer film after electrodeposition coating are carbon black, titanium dioxide, aluminum silicate (clay) and aluminum phosphomolybdate. Titanium dioxide mentioned above is high in hiding power as a color pigment and inexpensive and therefore most suited for use in electrodeposited coating films. The above pigments may be used singly but, generally, a plurality thereof are used according to the intended purpose. The above pigments can be incorporated in the above electrodeposition coating in appropriate amounts after preliminary preparation of a pigment dispersion paste by dispersing them in a cationic pigment-dispersing resin in general use. As for the level of addition of the above pigments, the ratio P/V between the whole pigment weight (P) and the weight of all vehicle components other than pigments (V) in the electrodeposition coating is preferably within the range of 1/10 to 1/3. The term xe2x80x9call vehicle components other than pigmentsxe2x80x9d mentioned above means the whole solid components other than the pigments constituting the coating. When the ratio is less than 1/10, the barrier properties of coating films against corrosive factors such as moisture may decrease excessively due to an insufficient pigment content and, as a result, any practical level of corrosion resistance may not be expressed. If it exceeds 1/3, a viscosity increase is caused in the step of curing due to the excessive pigment content, the flow characteristics thus may deteriorate and the coating film appearance may be markedly impaired. In the above electrodeposition coating, there may be incorporated such additives as a rust inhibitor and a surfactant (antifoaming agent) each in an appropriate amount. As the above rust inhibitor which are soluble in water and easy to use, there may be mentioned, in view of the recent market trend toward exclusion of hazardous heavy metals such as lead, those organic acid salts of zinc, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium and like rare earth metals. For example, zinc acetate, cerium acetate, neodymium acetate and the like can be incorporated in the above particles B in the step of preparation thereof and added to the coating in an appropriate amount in a form included or adsorbed in the resin emulsion. The above electrodeposition coating is preferably prepared so that the solid concentration is amount to in the range of 15 to 25% by weight. In adjusting the solid concentration, an aqueous medium, for example water alone or a mixture of water and a hydrophilic organic solvent, is used. A small amount of an additive may be incorporated in the electrodeposition coating. As the additives, there may be mentioned, for example, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, surfactants, coating film surface smoothening agents and curing catalists such as organotin compounds. Electrodeposited Coating Film Forming Method The method for electrodeposited coating film formation in the above step (I) comprises the step (1) of applying the above electrodeposition coating to an article to be coated by electrodeposition coating to thereby obtain an electrodeposited coat and the step (2) of curing the thus-obtained electrodeposited coat by heating to thereby obtain an electrodeposited multilayer coating film. Generally, the electrodeposition coating in the above step (1) can be carried out by connecting an electroconductive substrate, which is the article to be coated, to a cathode terminal and applying a load voltage of 100 to 400 V at a bath temperature of the above electrodeposition coating of 15 to 35xc2x0 C. The electrodeposited coat obtained in the above step (1), by heating in the step (2), undergoes layer separation due to the different solubility parameters of the respective resins and gives a cured electrodeposited film having a multilayer structure such that the layer formed from the particles A occurs on the side contacting with air directly and the layer formed from the particles B occurs on the side directly contacting with the article to be coated. The heating in the above step (2) is generally carried out at 140 to 200xc2x0 C., preferably 160 to 180xc2x0 C., for 10 to 30 minutes. For improving the above layer separation property, preheating may be carried out following the above step (1). Although the above preheating may be conducted at the same temperature as of the heating in the above step (2), namely carried out successively with the above step (2), it is preferred in the practice of the invention that the preheating be conducted at a temperature below the curing temperature of the electrodeposition coating. By doing so, the layer separation property can be improved without deteriorating the coating film appearance. In that case, the heating temperature may be 60 to 130xc2x0 C., and the heating time is about 1 to 10 minutes although it may vary according to the heating temperature, etc. As for the method of heating in the above steps (1) and (2), the coated article may be placed in a heater adjusted beforehand to a desired temperature, or the temperature may be raised after placing the coated article in the heater. The article to be coated is not particularly restricted but includes, for example, iron, copper, aluminum, tin, zinc and other metals; alloys and castings comprising these metals. Specifically, there may be mentioned bodies and parts of automobiles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and buses. More preferably, these metals are subjected in advance to forming treatment with a phosphate salt, a chromate salt or the like prior to electrodeposition coating. In the above electrodeposition coating, the resin (a) and resin (b) each occurs in an independently emulsified/dispersed state, so that the stability of the coating can be secured without any need for giving consideration to the compatibility between resin (a) and resin (b). If a polar functional group, for example an epoxy group, is introduced into the resin (a) to secure the compatibility between resin components, as described in Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-05-230402, Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-07-207196 and Japanese Kokai Publication Hei-09-208865, there will arise the problem that the elongation percentage and elasticity percentage of the coating films obtained decrease. On the contrary, the above electrodeposition coating does not require such modification but can provide the electrodeposited coating films with a high level of shock-absorbing performance characteristics. Step (II) In the step (II), a water-borne intermediate coating is applied onto the above electrodeposited coating film formed as mentioned above to thereby form an uncured intermediate coating film. Water-Borne Intermediate Coating The above water-borne intermediate coating contains an elastomer. The above elastomer contained therein can provide the intermediate coating film obtained with flexibility and improve the shock resistance and chipping resistance thereof. Furthermore, on the air-contacting side of the electrodeposited coating film, as mentioned above, the resin layer, which is close in physical properties to the above elastomer, is formed so that the adhesion between the electrodeposited coating film and intermediate coating film is improved and, as a result, the shock resistance and chipping resistance can be markedly improved. The above elastomer is preferably designed so that a glass transition temperature thereof is xe2x88x92110xc2x0 C. to 10xc2x0 C. If it exceeds 10xc2x0 C., the coating film obtained will become poor in flexibility or shock resistance. If it is below xe2x88x92110xc2x0 C., it is practically difficult to prepare. More preferred is xe2x88x92100xc2x0 C. to xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. The above designed glass transition temperature can be calculated from the formulating amounts of raw materials used in producing the above elastomer. As the above elastomer, there may be mentioned those specifically mentioned hereinabove as the resin (a) referring to the above electrodeposition coating. The above elastomer, when used in a form dispersed or dissolved in water, can be allowed to stably exist in the above water-borne intermediate coating. As regards the method of dispersion in water as mentioned above, the elastomer can be emulsified/dispersed in an aqueous medium, for example, by separately applying a dispersing resin, a surfactant or the like dispersants. Said emulsification/dispersion can also be carried out by introducing a functional group such as the above-mentioned reactive group or polar group into the elastomer to use the resulting products as they are or self-emulsifiable and dispersible in an aqueous medium by using a neutralizing agent. When the above functional group is a cationic group such as an amine, the above neutralizing agent may be an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or phosphoric acid; or an organic acid such as formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, sulfamic acid or acetylglycine acid. When the above functional group is an anionic group such as a carboxyl group, it may be an inorganic base such as ammonia; or a primary, secondary or tertiary amine acid salt or the like organic base of such as methylamine, dimethylamine, triethylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, triethylamine acid salt, N,N-dimethylethanolamine acid salt, morpholine or piperazine, etc. As the above dispersing resin and surfactant, those conventionally used as dispersants can be used. The above water-borne intermediate coating may contain another coating film-forming resin in addition to the above elastomer to control the physical properties of coating films obtained. The above-mentioned other coating film-forming resin is not particularly restricted but includes, for example, acrylic resins, polyester resins, alkyd resins, epoxy resins and urethane resins and the like. From the viewpoint of pigment dispersibility or workability, acrylic resins and/or polyester resins are preferred. The above-mentioned other coating film-forming resin preferably has a solid matter acid value of 20 to 100 mg KOH/g. When it is less than 20 mg KOH/g, insufficient curing of coating films may result. If it exceeds 100 mg KOH/g, the coating films obtained will be poor in water resistance. Preferred is 30 to 80 mg KOH/g. The above other coating film-forming resin preferably has a hydroxyl value within the range of 30 to 150. If it is less than 30, insufficient curing of coating films may result and, if it exceeds 150, excess hydroxyl groups may remain in the coating films after curing, hence the water resistance tends to decrease. Furthermore, the number average molecular weight is preferably within the range of 1,000 to 30,000. If it is less than 1,000, the physical properties, for example solvent resistance, of cured coating films will be poor. If it exceeds 30,000, the resin solution will have a high viscosity, so that not only it becomes difficult to handle the resin obtained in such operations as emulsification/dispersion but also the film appearance of the intermediate coating film obtained may be markedly impaired. Preferred is 2,000 to 20,000. The above elastomers and other coating film-forming resins may be used each independently. For balancing the performance characteristics of coating films, however, two or more species may be used. When it is necessary for the above elastomer to be cured in the step of coating film formation or when the above other coating film-forming resin is used, the above-mentioned water-borne intermediate coating generally contains a curing agent. The above curing agent is not particularly restricted but may be an amino resin and/or a blocked isocyanate resin, for instance. From the viewpoint of pigment dispersibility or workability, a melamine resin is preferred. The content of the above elastomer based on the resin solids in the above water-borne intermediate coating is preferably 20 to 100% by weight on a solid basis. If it is less than 20% by weight, the coating films obtained will be poor in flexibility and chipping resistance. More preferred is 30 to 100% by weight. The resin solids referred above is the sum, on a solid basis, of the elastomer and the other coating film-forming resin and the curing agent which are optionally added. The above water-borne intermediate coating generally contains a pigment. As the above water-borne intermediate coating, those specifically mentioned hereinabove referring to the electrodeposition coating can be mentioned. For the purpose of improving the weathering resistance and securing the hiding power, color pigments are preferred. In particular, titanium dioxide is more preferred since it has a white color excellent in hiding power and is inexpensive. It is also possible to prepare water-borne standard gray intermediate coatings by using, as the above pigments, carbon black and titanium dioxide as main pigments, to prepare water-borne set gray intermediate coatings by matching in lightness, hue or the like, with the top coating, or to prepare the so-called water-borne color intermediate coatings by using various color pigments in combination. The above pigments are used preferably in an amount such that the ratio of the weight of the pigments relative to the total weight of the pigments and resin solids (PWC) amounts to 10 to 60% by weight in the above water-borne intermediate coating. At levels below 10% by weight, the pigment amount is insufficient, hence the hiding power may possibly decrease. At levels higher than 60% by weight, the pigment amount is excessive, causing an increase in viscosity in the step of curing, hence the flow characteristics will deteriorate and the coating film appearance may be impaired. An appropriate amount of the above pigment can be incorporated in the step of water-borne intermediate coating preparation after preparing a pigment dispersion paste by preliminary dispersing the pigment by the aid of a pigment-dispersing resin in general use. The above water-borne intermediate coating can be prepared by admixing the above pigment dispersion paste with the above elastomer and curing agent. Further, additive components such as ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, antifoaming agents, surface modifiers, foaming inhibitors and so forth may be added. The above water-borne intermediate coating is applied onto the electrodeposited coating film formed on the article to be coated to thereby form an uncured intermediate coating film. The method of applying the above water-borne intermediate coating is not particularly restricted. For example, the coating can be applied using an air electrostatic sprayer commonly called xe2x80x9cReact gunxe2x80x9d or a rotary atomizer type electrostatic coater commonly called xe2x80x9cmicro micro (xcexcxcexc) bellxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cmicro (xcexc) bellxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cmeta bellxe2x80x9d or the like. The method using a rotary atomizer type electrostatic coater is preferred. The dry film thickness of the above intermediate coating film varies according to the intended use but preferably is 5 to 50 xcexcm. If it exceeds the upper limit, the image sharpness may decrease and troubles may occur, for examples sagging in the step of application or foaming in the step of baking for curing. If it is less than the lower limit, the appearance may be impaired. In the practice of the invention, to form uncured coating films using the water-borne intermediate coating, water-borne base coating and clear coating, respectively means that the intermediate coating, base coating and clear coating are applied in that order by the wet-on-wet manner. In this specification, the term xe2x80x9cuncuredxe2x80x9d is used to also include, within the meaning thereof, the state after preheating, for instance. The step of above preheating comprises allowing the coating film after application to stand or heating the same at room temperature to a temperature lower than 100xc2x0 C. for 1 to 10 minutes, for instance. For obtaining a better finish appearance, the preheating is preferably carried out after application of the water-borne intermediate coating and after application of the water-borne base coating. Step (III) In the above step (III), a water-borne base coating is applied onto the uncured intermediate coating film formed in the above manner to thereby form an uncured base coating film. Water-Borne Base Coating In the practice of the present invention, the water-borne base coating is not particularly restricted but may be composed of, for example, a coating film-forming resin, a curing agent, a pigment and other additives. The above coating film-forming resin is not particularly restricted but includes, for example, acrylic resins, polyester resins, alkyd resins, epoxy resins and urethane resins. These are used in combination with a curing agent such as an
{'bibliographic_information': "{'document_kind': 'B2', 'document_number': '06554989', 'document_date': '20030429', 'publishing_country_or_organization': 'US', 'title_of_invention': 'Method of forming multilayer coating films and multilayer coating films'}", 'source_file': './grant/2003/pg030429.XML', 'source_data': 'USPTO-Grant'}