阅读说明：本技术 吸收性物品用无纺布 (Nonwoven fabric for absorbent article ) 是由 衣笠由彦 谷口正洋 濑户吉彦 于 2019-01-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明是一种吸收性物品用无纺布,其是具有热塑性纤维的无纺布,且具有多个将一张无纺布局部折叠并在厚度方向上重叠三层以上的层叠部分(1),层叠部分(1)中的位于所述无纺布的第一面侧(Z1)的第一面层(2)与位于第二面侧(Z2)的第二面层(3)为平坦层,第一面层(2)及第二面层(3)的纤维在平面方向上取向。(The invention is a nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article, which is a nonwoven fabric having thermoplastic fibers, and which has a plurality of laminated portions (1) in which one nonwoven fabric is partially folded and three or more layers are laminated in the thickness direction, wherein a first surface layer (2) positioned on a first surface side (Z1) and a second surface layer (3) positioned on a second surface side (Z2) of the nonwoven fabric in the laminated portions (1) are flat layers, and the fibers of the first surface layer (2) and the second surface layer (3) are oriented in the planar direction.)

1. A nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article, which is a nonwoven fabric having thermoplastic fibers, wherein,

the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article has a plurality of laminated portions formed by partially folding one nonwoven fabric and overlapping three or more layers in the thickness direction,

in the laminated portion, a first surface layer located on a first surface side of the nonwoven fabric and a second surface layer located on a second surface side of the nonwoven fabric are flat layers, and fibers of the first surface layer and the second surface layer are oriented in a planar direction.

2. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein,

the nonwoven fabric has heat-welded portions between fibers of each layer, and the laminated portion has a folded structure without a bonding mechanism.

3. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the nonwoven fabric has a single-layer portion between the adjacent laminated portions in a plan view.

4. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the first face layer has fibers of 2.4dtex or less.

5. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the first facing has a basis weight greater than the basis weight of the second facing.

6. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of regions extending in a certain direction in a plan view of the laminated portion.

7. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the nonwoven fabric has a single-layer region surrounded by the laminated portion in a plan view.

8. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein,

the single-layer portion has a bent portion at an outer edge in a plan view.

9. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein,

the boundary between the single-layer portion and the laminated portion in the bent portion is disposed on the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric.

10. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 9,

the fibers of the region in which the laminated portion extends in one direction exhibit the same orientation direction on at least either one of the first surface side and the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric.

11. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the fibers of the first face layer of the laminated portion exhibit the same orientation direction as the fibers of the single layer portion.

12. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the nonwoven fabric has a single-layer portion between the adjacent laminated portions in a plan view, and there is a region in which the single-layer portion extends in a certain direction.

13. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein,

the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article has a region in which the single-layer portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the certain direction.

14. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 12 and 13, wherein,

the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article has a single-layer portion, and a region of the laminated portion surrounded by the single-layer portion is present in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric.

15. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 14, wherein,

there are also other single-layer portions in the region of the laminated portion surrounded by the single-layer portions.

16. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein,

the fibers of the single-layer portion extending in the certain direction and the fibers of the single-layer portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the certain direction show the same orientation direction.

17. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein,

the first surface layer or the second surface layer is a flat layer, which means that the ratio of the area in contact with the transparent plate when viewed from above is constant or more when the first surface layer or the second surface layer is placed on a stage with the first surface layer or the second surface layer being a lower side and the transparent plate having a load of 35Pa is placed on the upper side, and the ratio of the area in contact with the transparent plate is 50% or more and 99% or less, preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, further preferably 95% or less, and more preferably 90% or less.

18. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 17,

the planar orientation of the fibers of the first surface layer or the second surface layer means that the number of fibers P1 is greater than the number of fibers P2, the number of fibers P1 is greater than the number of fibers P2, the number of fibers P1 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of a virtual square when the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is viewed from the first surface side or the second surface side, and the number of fibers P2 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of the square when the virtual square is disposed when the cross section of the first surface layer or the second surface layer along the thickness direction is viewed.

19. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 18,

the planar orientation of the fibers of the first surface layer or the second surface layer means that the ratio P1/P2 of the number of fibers P1 to the number of fibers P2 is 1.2 or more and 10 or less, preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 2 or more, further preferably 9 or less, and more preferably 8 or less, the number of fibers P1 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of a square when the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is arranged, and the number of fibers P2 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of the square when the virtual square is arranged, when the cross section of the first surface layer or the second surface layer along the thickness direction is observed.

20. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 19,

the first surface layer has fibers of 0.2dtex or more and 2.4dtex or less, preferably fibers of 0.5dtex or more, more preferably fibers of 0.8dtex or more, and further preferably fibers of 2dtex or less, more preferably fibers of 1.8dtex or less.

21. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein,

the ratio of the basis weight G1 of the first surface layer to the basis weight G2 of the second surface layer, i.e., the basis weight G1 of the first surface layer/the basis weight G2 of the second surface layer, is 1.2 or more and 10 or less, preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and further preferably 8 or less, more preferably 6 or less.

22. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 10, 11 and 16, wherein,

the term "the fibers exhibit the same orientation direction" means that the ratio of the number of fibers P3 to the number of fibers P4, i.e., the number of fibers P3/the number of fibers P4, is 1.2 or more, preferably 1.5 or more, and more preferably 2 or more, at each position for comparison, the number of fibers P3 is the number of fibers intersecting with both sides of one direction of a virtual square when the two sides of the square intersect with both sides of the other direction of the square when the plane along the plane direction of the target portion of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles is observed, and the number of fibers P4 is the number of fibers intersecting with both sides of the other direction of the square.

23. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein,

the apparent thickness H1 under a load of 35Pa is 0.5mm or more and 5mm or less, preferably 1mm or more, more preferably 1.2mm or more, and preferably 4mm or less, more preferably 3mm or less.

24. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 23,

the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa is 0.2mm or more and 3mm or less, preferably 0.3mm or more, more preferably 0.5mm or more, and preferably 2mm or less, more preferably 1.5mm or less.

25. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 24,

the ratio of the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa to the apparent thickness H1 under a load of 35Pa is 10% or more and 80% or less, preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more.

26. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein,

the ratio of the area E2 of the laminated portion to the entire area E1 in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is 10% or more and 95% or less, preferably 15% or more, and more preferably 20% or more.

27. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein,

a part of the laminated portion is a five-layer portion.

28. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein,

in the laminated portion, a narrowed portion is disposed at one or more connecting portions selected from a connecting portion of an end portion of the first face layer and an end portion of an intermediate layer between the first face layer and the second face layer, a connecting portion of an end portion of the second face layer and an end portion of the first face layer, and a connecting portion of another end portion of the intermediate layer and an end portion of the second face layer.

29. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 28,

in the laminated portion, a space portion is disposed between the second surface layer and the intermediate layer between the first surface layer and the second surface layer.

30. An absorbent article in which, in the case of a disposable absorbent article,

the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 29 is used for the absorbent article.

31. An absorbent article in which, in the case of a disposable absorbent article,

the absorbent article has the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles according to any one of claims 1 to 29 as a topsheet, the first surface layer is oriented toward the skin surface side, and the second surface side of the topsheet has an absorbent body.

32. An absorbent article in which, in the case of a disposable absorbent article,

the component of the absorbent article is bonded to the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 29, and an adhesive is disposed in an area of less than 70% of the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article, and the ratio of the area of the adhesive to the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is preferably 65% or less, more preferably 50% or less, and further preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, and still more preferably 20% or more.

33. An absorbent article in which, in the case of a disposable absorbent article,

in the absorbent article in a folded state, the nonwoven fabric included in the absorbent article is in the state described in any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. An absorbent article in which, in the case of a disposable absorbent article,

in an absorbent article package containing a plurality of absorbent articles, the nonwoven fabric of the absorbent article is in the state as defined in any one of claims 1 to 32.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article.

Background

Nonwoven fabrics are commonly used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and diapers. Techniques for imparting various functions to the nonwoven fabric are known. Among them, from the viewpoint of reducing the friction on the skin, there is a nonwoven fabric having an uneven shape to impart movement to the surface of the nonwoven fabric (for example, nonwoven fabrics described in patent documents 1 to 3). In the uneven shape of the nonwoven fabric, the portions that become the projections come into contact with the skin and move.

The nonwoven fabric described in patent document 1 has a plurality of protrusions on both surfaces. The first and second protrusions on both surfaces protrude toward opposite surfaces of the substrate and are continuous with each other via the annular wall. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric have a radial fiber orientation converging from the annular wall portion toward the thickness direction to the top of the second protrusion.

Patent document 2 describes a topsheet provided with a plurality of ring portions projecting toward the skin of the wearer. The surface sheet has a two-layer structure in which the fiber layer constituting the loop portion is partially bonded to the base material layer. In this structure, the loop portion is raised so as to protrude largely in the direction toward the skin of the wearer between the joining portions.

Patent document 3 describes a nonwoven fabric having a sufficiently defined three-dimensional shape even when compressed, as a nonwoven fabric used for an absorbent article. Specifically, the nonwoven fabric has a protrusion extending outward from the first surface. The protrusion has a cap portion similar to the body portion of the mushroom, and does not have a hinge configuration as it can be folded.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-119012

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 2004-121701

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-528614

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a nonwoven fabric having thermoplastic fibers.

In the embodiment, the laminated portion has a plurality of laminated portions in which one nonwoven fabric is partially folded and three or more layers are stacked in the thickness direction.

In an embodiment, a first surface layer located on a first surface side of the nonwoven fabric and a second surface layer located on a second surface side of the nonwoven fabric in the laminated portion are flat layers.

In an embodiment, the fibers of the first facing and the second facing are oriented in a planar direction.

In an embodiment, the nonwoven fabric is a nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article.

In an embodiment, the nonwoven fabric has heat-fused portions between fibers of each layer, and the laminated portion has a folded configuration without being joined via a joining mechanism.

In one embodiment, the nonwoven fabric has a single-layer portion between the adjacent laminated portions in a plan view.

In an embodiment, the first face layer has fibers of 2.4dtex or less.

In embodiments, the basis weight (mass per unit area) of the first facing is greater than the basis weight of the second facing.

In an embodiment, there are a plurality of regions in which the laminated portion extends in a certain direction in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric.

In an embodiment, there is a single-layer portion region surrounded by the laminated portion in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric.

In an embodiment, the single-layer portion has a bent portion at an outer edge in a plan view.

In an embodiment, a boundary between the single-layer portion and the laminated portion in the bent portion is disposed on the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric.

In an embodiment, the fibers of the region in which the laminated portion extends in one direction exhibit the same orientation direction on at least either one of the first surface side and the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric.

In an embodiment, the fibers of the first facing layer of the laminated part exhibit the same orientation direction as the fibers of the single layer part.

In one embodiment, the nonwoven fabric has a single-layer portion between the adjacent laminated portions in a plan view, and there is a region in which the single-layer portion extends in a certain direction.

In an embodiment, there is a region in which the single-layer portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the certain direction.

In an embodiment, the nonwoven fabric has a single-layer portion, and a region of the laminated portion surrounded by the single-layer portion exists in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric.

In an embodiment, there is a further single-layer portion in the region of the laminated portion surrounded by the single-layer portion.

In an embodiment, the fibers of the monolayer portion extending in the certain direction and the fibers of the monolayer portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the certain direction exhibit the same orientation direction.

In an embodiment, the first surface layer or the second surface layer is a flat layer means that the first surface layer or the second surface layer is placed on a stage with the lower side being the lower side, and the ratio of the area in contact with the transparent plate when viewed from above when the transparent plate having a load of 35Pa is placed on the upper side is a constant or more, and optionally, the ratio of the area in contact with the transparent plate of the first surface layer or the second surface layer is 50% or more and 99% or less, preferably 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more, and/or preferably 95% or less, more preferably 90% or less.

In an embodiment, the planar orientation of the fibers of the first surface layer or the second surface layer means that the number of fibers P1 is greater than the number of fibers P2, the number of fibers P1 is greater than the number of fibers P2, the number of fibers P1 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of a virtual square when the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is viewed from the first surface side or the second surface side, and the number of fibers P2 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of the virtual square when the cross section of the first surface layer or the second surface layer along the thickness direction is viewed and the virtual square is disposed.

In an embodiment, the fibers of the first surface layer or the second surface layer are oriented in a planar direction, a ratio P1/P2 of the number of fibers P1 to the number of fibers P2 is 1.2 or more and 10 or less, preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and/or preferably 9 or less, and more preferably 8 or less, the number of fibers P1 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of a virtual square when the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is arranged, and the number of fibers P2 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of the square when the first surface layer or the second surface layer is viewed in a cross section along the thickness direction, and the virtual square is arranged.

In an embodiment, the first face layer has fibers of 0.2dtex or more and 2.4dtex or less, preferably fibers of 0.5dtex or more, more preferably fibers of 0.8dtex or more, and/or preferably fibers of 2dtex or less, more preferably fibers of 1.8dtex or less.

In an embodiment, the ratio of the basis weight G1 of the first face layer to the basis weight G2 of the second face layer (basis weight G1 of first face layer/basis weight G2 of second face layer) is 1.2 or more and 10 or less, preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 2 or more, and/or preferably 8 or less, more preferably 6 or less.

In the embodiment, the term "the fibers exhibit the same orientation direction" means that the ratio of the number of fibers P3 to the number of fibers P4 (number of fibers P3/number of fibers P4) is 1.2 or more, optionally, 1.5 or more, and more preferably, 2 or more, at each position for comparison, the number of fibers P3 is the number of fibers intersecting with both sides of a virtual square when the two sides of the square are arranged along a plane of a target portion of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles when the target portion is observed, and the number of fibers P4 is the number of fibers intersecting with both sides of the square in the other direction.

In an embodiment, the apparent thickness H1 under a load of 35Pa is 0.5mm or more and 5mm or less, preferably 1mm or more, more preferably 1.2mm or more, and/or preferably 4mm or less, more preferably 3mm or less.

In an embodiment, the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa is 0.2mm or more and 3mm or less, preferably 0.3mm or more, more preferably 0.5mm or more, and/or preferably 2mm or less, more preferably 1.5mm or less.

In the embodiment, the ratio of the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa to the apparent thickness H1 under a load of 35Pa is 10% or more and 80% or less, preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more.

In an embodiment, the ratio of the area E2 of the laminated portion to the entire area E1 in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is 10% or more and 95% or less, preferably 15% or more, and more preferably 20% or more.

In an embodiment, a part of the laminated part is a five-layer part.

In an embodiment, in the laminated portion, a narrowed portion is allocated at one or more connecting portions selected from a connecting portion of an end portion of the first face layer and an end portion of an intermediate layer between the first face layer and the second face layer, a connecting portion of an end portion of the second face layer and an end portion of the first face layer, and a connecting portion of another end portion of the intermediate layer and an end portion of the second face layer.

In an embodiment, a space portion is disposed in the laminated portion between the second surface layer and the intermediate layer between the first surface layer and the second surface layer.

The present invention also provides an absorbent article using the nonwoven fabric and/or the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article.

In an embodiment, the nonwoven fabric and/or the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article is provided as a topsheet, the first surface layer is oriented toward the skin surface side, and the second surface side of the topsheet is provided with an absorbent body.

In an embodiment, the constituent member of the absorbent article is bonded to the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric and/or the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article, and an adhesive is optionally disposed in an area of less than 70% of the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article, and optionally, the ratio of the area of the adhesive to the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article is preferably 65% or less, more preferably 50% or less, and/or preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, and still more preferably 20% or more.

In an embodiment, in the absorbent article in the folded state, the nonwoven fabric included in the absorbent article is in the above-described state.

In an embodiment, in an absorbent article package in which a plurality of absorbent articles are housed, the nonwoven fabric included in the absorbent article is in the above-described state.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a preferred embodiment (first embodiment) of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention.

Fig. 2 (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the laminated portion shown in fig. 1, and fig. 2 (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the laminated portion shown in fig. 2 (a).

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to the first embodiment as viewed from the second surface side.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another preferred embodiment (second embodiment) of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to the second embodiment, as viewed from the second surface side.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing an example of a preferable manufacturing method of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles of the first and second embodiments, fig. 6 (a) is an explanatory view showing a step of disposing a fiber web on a support convex member and pressing a support concave member onto the support convex member from the fiber web, fig. 6 (B) is an explanatory view showing a step of shaping the fiber web by blowing a first hot air from above the support concave member, and fig. 6 (C) is an explanatory view showing a step of removing the support concave member and blowing a second hot air from above the shaped fiber web to fuse fibers.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article, which has improved smooth touch feeling on the surface of the nonwoven fabric and improved performance of preventing friction with the skin in contact with the surface of the nonwoven fabric.

In the nonwoven fabrics having an uneven shape described in patent documents 1 to 3, the convex portions (protrusions) move so as to follow the skin in contact with the surface of the nonwoven fabric, and friction with the skin can be reduced. However, the contact with the skin is near the top of the convex portion (protruding portion), and the contact area is small. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of smooth touch of the nonwoven fabric surface.

On the other hand, a smooth touch can be expected in a nonwoven fabric having a flat surface. However, in this case, mobility such as a concave-convex shape is not provided. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the friction of the skin in contact with the surface of the nonwoven fabric.

The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention can simultaneously improve the smooth touch feeling of the surface of the nonwoven fabric and the performance of preventing the friction of the skin in contact with the surface of the nonwoven fabric.

In the present invention, the absorbent article is an article that absorbs and retains various body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood. Examples of such articles include diapers, sanitary napkins, urine pads, and incontinence pads. The absorbent article includes a skin-side topsheet, a non-skin-side backsheet, and a liquid-retentive absorbent member disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In addition to these, other members may be provided as necessary. In the structure of the member of the absorbent article, the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is preferably used as a member located in a position in contact with the skin. For example, it is preferably used as the surface sheet. The back sheet is preferably used as a sheet for further covering the non-skin surface side.

In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the side in contact with the human body is referred to as the skin surface side, and the opposite side is referred to as the non-skin surface side. These are also used as members having no surface that contacts the human body, and indicate relative positional relationships among the member configurations of the absorbent article. The direction toward the front of the human body when worn is referred to as the front, and the direction toward the rear is referred to as the rear. The normal direction of the front or back surface of the absorbent article is referred to as the thickness direction.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a nonwoven fabric 10 for an absorbent article (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a nonwoven fabric 10) according to a first embodiment. The nonwoven fabric 10 has a first surface side Z1 and a second surface side Z2 opposite to the first surface side. The first surface side Z1 and the second surface side Z2 may be the one facing the absorbent body of the absorbent article. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the absorbent article be used such that the first surface side Z1 is shown as the surface side facing outward and the second surface side Z2 is shown as the surface side facing the absorbent body, with respect to the absorbent body having liquid retainability. For example, when the nonwoven fabric 10 is used as a topsheet, the first surface side Z1 is the surface side contacting the skin, and the second surface side Z2 is the surface side facing the absorbent body. When the nonwoven fabric 10 is a sheet covering the non-skin surface side with a back sheet, the first surface side Z1 is the outermost surface side (outermost non-skin surface side) of the absorbent article, and the second surface side Z2 is the surface side facing the absorbent body.

The nonwoven fabric 10 is a sheet of nonwoven fabric having thermoplastic fibers. The "single nonwoven fabric" as used herein refers to a nonwoven fabric obtained by thermally welding a web containing thermoplastic fibers at fiber intersections (obtained by converting the web into a nonwoven fabric by hot air treatment or the like), and a nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating and converting the web into a nonwoven fabric before thermal welding is defined as a single nonwoven fabric. Whether or not the nonwoven fabric was obtained by laminating the fiber webs before heat-sealing was judged by observing the nonwoven fabric through a microscope. In the nonwoven fabric produced, if a plurality of fibers are fused (fused over the area of the intersection of the fibers), a region where no film is formed is defined as "one nonwoven fabric". For example, a nonwoven fabric having a fused region (a fused region extending over a plurality of fiber intersections) obtained by embossing is referred to as a "bonded nonwoven fabric" rather than a single nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric obtained by joining nonwoven fabrics produced by thermal welding to each other by embossing or a nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating another web on a nonwoven fabric produced by thermal welding and joining them by embossing is not a single nonwoven fabric. In addition, in a step after the nonwoven fabric is formed into a web, for example, a step of incorporating the nonwoven fabric into an absorbent article, the embossing treatment may be performed for other purposes such as joining with another sheet, without being hindered.

The nonwoven fabric 10 has a plurality of laminated portions 1 in which one nonwoven fabric is partially folded and three or more layers are laminated in the thickness direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in the cross section of fig. 1, the laminated portion 1 is formed by three layers of the first surface layer 2 on the first surface side Z1, the second surface layer 3 on the second surface side Z2, and the intermediate layer 4 between the two layers overlapping in the thickness direction. The first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 in the laminated portion 1 are flat layers. In the present invention, the laminated portion is not limited to three layers in the present embodiment, and may be four or more layers.

Here, the term "overlap in the thickness direction" means that when an imaginary line L1 perpendicular to the thickness direction is drawn with respect to the cross section of the laminated portion 1, the first surface layer 2, the intermediate layer 4, and the second surface layer 3 are all arranged in a state of being penetrated by an imaginary line L1. In this case, the first surface layer 2, the intermediate layer 4, and the second surface layer 3 are not limited to the case of completely overlapping, and may be partially overlapping.

The first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 are flat layers, and means that the ratio of the area in contact with the transparent plate when viewed from above is constant or more when the transparent plate under a load of 35Pa is placed on the upper side of the non-woven fabric 10 placed on a horizontal table T with the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 on the lower side. For measurement, a nonwoven fabric of 5cm × 5cm or more was prepared. From the viewpoint of smooth touch, the ratio of the area of contact between the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 and the transparent plate is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 60% or more, and still more preferably 70% or more. From the viewpoint of not hindering the movement, the amount is preferably 99% or less, more preferably 95% or less, and still more preferably 90% or less. Specifically, from the viewpoint of smoothness, the ratio of the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 in contact with the transparent plate is preferably 50% or more and 99% or less, more preferably 60% or more and 95% or less, and further preferably 70% or more and 90% or less.

In the nonwoven fabric 10, the fibers of the first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 are oriented in the planar direction. By orienting the fibers in the planar direction in the flat first face layer 2 and second face layer 3, a smooth touch along the orientation direction is obtained. The nonwoven fabric 10 has a flat surface, and the laminated portion 1 includes a movable region 5 in which the first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 are movable in opposite directions with respect to each other about the intermediate layer 4. The movable action of the movable region 5 improves the ability of the nonwoven fabric 10 to follow the movement of the skin, and provides high performance of preventing the skin from rubbing against the surface of the nonwoven fabric. This improves both the smooth touch feeling of the nonwoven fabric surface and the performance of the nonwoven fabric 10 in preventing the skin from rubbing against the nonwoven fabric surface.

Here, the planar orientation of the fibers of the first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 means that the number of fibers P1 is compared with the number of fibers P2, and is P1 > P2, the number of fibers P1 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of a virtual square when the nonwoven fabric 10 is viewed from the first surface side Z1 or the second surface side Z2 and the virtual square is arranged, and the number of fibers P2 is the number of fibers intersecting each side of the square when the virtual square is arranged when the cross section of the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 in the thickness direction is viewed.

The number of fibers, P1 and P2, was measured specifically by the following method. When a nonwoven fabric is incorporated as a component of an absorbent article, the adhesive for the absorbent article is cured by a cooling method such as cold spraying, and the nonwoven fabric to be measured is carefully peeled off and measured. At this time, the adhesive is removed using an organic solvent. This treatment is also performed in the same manner in the other measurement methods in the present specification.

(method of measuring the number of fibers P1 and P2)

(i) The nonwoven fabric to be measured was cut into a square of 2cm × 2cm to obtain a sample, and the nonwoven fabric was observed from the first surface side Z1 or the second surface side Z2. For observation, for example, a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is preferably used. As the SEM, for example, JCM-6100Plus (manufactured by Nippon electronics Co., Ltd.) was used. In the SEM observation, it is preferable that the sample is subjected to a vapor deposition treatment by a recommended method in advance.

(ii) Then, the center of the surface of the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 was enlarged at a magnification of 50 times with respect to the SEM image, and this was shown in the center of the observation screen. A virtual square having one side of 500 μm and an intersection point of diagonal lines at the center of the screen is drawn, and the number of fibers P1 intersecting each side of the square is counted.

(iii) Similarly, a virtual square having one side of 500 μm is drawn on a cross section of the first surface layer 2 or the second surface layer 3 in the thickness direction, and the number P2 of fibers intersecting each side of the square is counted.

(iv) The number of nonwoven fabrics to be measured was measured at any three places and the average value was determined. The average values were designated as the numbers of fibers P1 and P2 of the nonwoven fabric to be measured. In this case, the angles of the sides of the square with respect to the nonwoven fabric were not changed at any three points. That is, the sides of the square of P1 at the first position and the sides of the square of P1 at the second position must be parallel. In addition, P1, P1 is defined as the number of fibers at the first position being greater than P2.

From the viewpoint of further improving the smooth touch of the surface of the nonwoven fabric 10, the ratio P1/P2 of the number of fibers P1 to the number of fibers P2 obtained by the above measurement is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and still more preferably 2 or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of the strength balance of the nonwoven fabric, the ratio P1/P2 is preferably 10 or less, more preferably 9 or less, and still more preferably 8 or less. Specifically, the ratio P1/P2 is preferably 1.2 or more and 10 or less, more preferably 1.5 or more and 9 or less, and still more preferably 2 or more and 8 or less.

The nonwoven fabric 10 preferably has a folded structure in which the fibers of the respective layers (the layers of the laminated portion 1) are heat-fused to each other and are not joined to each other by a joining means. Such a structure is preferably disposed on the first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 of the laminated portion 1, and is more preferably disposed on the intermediate layer 4 in addition thereto. The first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 can smoothly move in the direction opposite to the axial direction of the intermediate layer 4 by holding the shape of each layer by thermal fusion and folding each layer without joining the layers by a joining mechanism.

In the nonwoven fabric 10, the laminated portion 1 to be the movable region 5 has the following structure. That is, as shown in fig. 2 (a), one end portion 4A of the intermediate layer 4 is connected to the end portion 2A of the first surface layer 2. The other end 4B of the intermediate layer 4 is connected to the end 3A of the second face sheet 3. One end portion 4A and the other end portion 4B of the intermediate layer 4 do not overlap in the thickness direction. Thereby, the first surface layer 2, the intermediate layer 4, and the second surface layer 3 are overlapped in the thickness direction. The connection portion between the first surface layer 2, the intermediate layer 4, and the second surface layer 3 serves as a folding starting point (a folding portion). The laminated portion 1 is folded in a zigzag shape in a cross-sectional view without a connecting mechanism.

Thus, the first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 connected to the both end portions 4A and 4B of the intermediate layer 4 are moved so as to press the intermediate layer 4 in opposite directions to each other as an axis, and the laminated portion 1 is movable. At this time, the laminated portion 1 is movable in the plane direction in which the connecting portion between the first surface layer 2 and the intermediate layer 4 and the connecting portion between the intermediate layer 4 and the second surface layer 3 are arranged side by side before movement.

For example, when the nonwoven fabric 10 is used as a topsheet of an absorbent article, the second surface layer 3 of the nonwoven fabric 10 is fixed to the absorbent body, and the first surface layer 2 comes into contact with the skin. A shearing force in the plane direction is applied to the first surface layer 2 by the skin in contact therewith. At this time, the laminated portion 1 functions as follows. That is, the first surface layer 2 is moved to follow the skin, and the one end 4A of the intermediate layer 4 is pulled. Then, the one end portion 4A moves in the planar direction so as to be close to the other end portion 4B. Thus, the first surface sheet 2 moves in the planar direction with respect to the fixed second surface sheet 3 following the skin. Therefore, even if the first surface layer 2 is flat, the movable action such as the concave-convex shape can be exhibited.

In view of the structure in which the laminated portion 1 is overlapped in the thickness direction, in the cross section of the laminated portion 1, the angle θ 1 formed by the intermediate layer 4 and the first surface layer 2 and the angle θ 2 formed by the intermediate layer 4 and the second surface layer 2 are preferably acute angles, respectively. Specifically, the angles θ 1 and θ 2 are preferably 30 ° or less, more preferably 20 ° or less, and further preferably 10 ° or less, and the smaller the angle is, the better the angle is. But actually 1 ° or more. By setting the angles θ 1 and θ 2 to the ranges described above, the surface of the nonwoven fabric can be smoothly touched, and the mobility in the planar direction can be more favorably exhibited.

In the nonwoven fabric 10, from the viewpoint of further improving the mobility, it is preferable that, as shown in fig. 2 (B), one or more connecting portions selected from a connecting portion between the end portion 2A of the first surface layer 2 and the end portion 4A of the intermediate layer 4, a connecting portion between the end portion 3A of the second surface layer 3 and the end portion 2A of the first surface layer 2, and a connecting portion between the other end portion 4B of the intermediate layer 4 and the end portion 3A of the second surface layer 3 have a narrowed portion 6 that can serve as a hinge of the movable region 5. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that a strip-shaped space 13 connected to the opening 12 of the first surface Z1 is disposed between the intermediate layer 4 and the second surface layer 3.

In the nonwoven fabric 10, the folding direction of the laminated portion 1 may be the same as shown in fig. 1, or may be different for each laminated portion 1. The laminated portion 1 may have the same or different size in the planar direction.

Further, the size of the opening 12 on the first surface side Z1 may be the same, or may be different for each laminated portion 1. However, from the viewpoint of improving the smooth touch of the first surface side Z1, the area ratio of the openings 12 in the entire area of the first surface side Z1 of the nonwoven fabric 10 is preferably as small as possible. Specifically, the area ratio of the openings 12 to the entire area of the first surface Z1 of the nonwoven fabric 10 is preferably 3% or more and 30% or less, more preferably 5% or more, and still more preferably 20% or less.

Preferably, the single-layer portion 7 is disposed between the adjacent laminated portions 1 as shown in fig. 3 when the nonwoven fabric 10 is viewed in plan. The plurality of laminated portions 1 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with the single-layer portion 7 interposed therebetween. Further, the plurality of laminated portions 1 can move independently of the planar direction, and the performance of preventing skin friction can be further improved. Further, the margin for the overlapping spread of the laminated portion 1 is increased with the single-layer portion 7 as a starting point. That is, the movable range of the movable region 5 can be expanded.

The single-layer portion 7 may be disposed on either the first surface side Z1 or the second surface side Z2, but is preferably disposed on the first surface side Z1 in terms of improving the smooth touch of the first surface side Z1.

In the nonwoven fabric 10, from the viewpoint of achieving a smoother feel, the first surface layer 2 preferably has fibers of 2.4dtex or less, more preferably fibers of 2dtex or less, and still more preferably fibers of 1.8dtex or less. In addition, from the viewpoint of manufacturing fibers or nonwoven fabrics, fibers having a fiber content of 0.2dtex or more, more preferably 0.5dtex or more, and still more preferably 0.8dtex or more are preferably provided in the first surface layer 2. Specifically, the first surface layer 2 preferably has a fiber content of 0.2dtex or more and 2.4dtex or less, more preferably a fiber content of 0.5dtex or more and 2dtex or less, and still more preferably a fiber content of 0.8dtex or more and 1.8dtex or less.

In the nonwoven fabric 10, the basis weight G1 of the first face sheet 2 is preferably larger than the basis weight G2 of the second face sheet 3 from the viewpoint of achieving a smoother touch. From the same viewpoint, the ratio of the basis weight G1 of the first face layer 2 to the basis weight G2 of the second face layer 3 (basis weight G1 of the first face layer/basis weight G2 of the second face layer) is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and still more preferably 2 or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of maintaining the nonwoven fabric strength of the second surface side Z2, the ratio (basis weight G1 of the first surface layer/basis weight G2 of the second surface layer) is preferably 10 or less, more preferably 8 or less, and still more preferably 6 or less. Specifically, the ratio (basis weight G1 of the first surface layer/basis weight G2 of the second surface layer) is preferably 1.2 or more and 10 or less, more preferably 1.5 or more and 8 or less, and further preferably 2 or more and 6 or less.

In addition, the nonwoven fabric 10 preferably has the following configuration in a plan view as shown in fig. 3.

That is, in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric 10, there are preferably a plurality of regions 14 in which the laminated portion 1 extends in a certain direction. In fig. 3, a plurality of regions 14 extending from the laminated portion 1 are arranged in parallel with each other in the width direction X while being spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction Y of the nonwoven fabric 10. The extending direction is not limited to the longitudinal direction Y shown in fig. 3, and may be a width direction X orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y, or may be various directions intersecting these directions. The longitudinal Direction Y and the width Direction X of the nonwoven fabric 10 are the Machine Direction (MD) during production and the Cross Direction (CD) perpendicular thereto.

In this way, by the presence of the plurality of regions 14 in which the laminated portion 1 extends, the laminated portion 1 is uniformly arranged, and a smooth touch without unevenness can be more easily obtained.

In the laminated portion 1 of the nonwoven fabric 10 shown in fig. 3, the connecting portion between the first surface layer 2 and the intermediate layer 4 and the connecting portion between the intermediate layer 4 and the second surface layer 3 shown in fig. 1 are arranged side by side in the width direction X. Therefore, the laminated portion 1 is movable in the width direction X. In this way, from the viewpoint of achieving both smooth touch and skin friction prevention performance, it is preferable that the extending direction (the longitudinal direction Y in fig. 3) of the region 14 in which the laminated portion 1 extends be different from the direction in which the laminated portion 1 moves (the width direction X in fig. 3).

In addition, it is preferable that a region 15 of the single-layer portion 7 surrounded by the laminated portion 1 exists in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric 10. Since the single-layer portion 7 is surrounded by the laminated portion 1, the movable action of the laminated portion 1 starting from the single-layer portion 7 is easily generated. The plurality of laminated portions 1 surrounding the single-layer portion 7 are independently movable and can move in conjunction with each other to follow the skin. This further improves the performance of preventing friction with the skin in contact with the surface of the nonwoven fabric.

Preferably, the region 15 of the single-layer portion 7 surrounded by the laminated portion 1 has a bent portion 15A at the outer edge in a plan view. In fig. 3, the bent portion 15A has a planar shape bent in a U shape. However, the curved portion 15A is not limited to the shape shown in fig. 3, and may take various curved shapes.

Since the region 15 of the single-layered portion 7 has the bent portion 15A, the movement of the laminated portion 1 is smoother, and skin friction can be further suppressed.

In addition, the boundary between the single-layer portion 7 and the laminated portion 1 in the bent portion 15A is preferably disposed on the second surface side Z2 of the nonwoven fabric 10. Thus, the step at the boundary between the single-layer portion 7 and the laminated portion 1 in the bent portion 15A is arranged on the second surface side Z2 of the nonwoven fabric 10, and the smooth touch of the first surface side Z1 can be maintained.

In addition, each of the regions 14 extending in a certain direction of the laminated portion 1 may have the same width or different widths. In addition, unlike the region 15 of the single-layer portion 7, another single-layer portion (not shown) may be present in the region 14 along the extending direction of the region 14.

Preferably, the fibers of the region 14 extending in one direction in the laminated portion 1 exhibit the same orientation direction on at least either one of the first surface side Z1 and the second surface side Z2 of the nonwoven fabric 10. By the laminated portion 1 constituting the movable region 5 exhibiting a fixed orientation direction, a smoother touch feeling is obtained. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the fibers of the first face layer 2 in the laminated portion 1 exhibit the same orientation direction in each region 14 in which the laminated portion 1 extends. Most preferably, the orientation direction of the fibers of the first surface layer 2 is a direction (longitudinal direction Y in fig. 3) orthogonal to the direction in which the laminated portion 1 moves (width direction X in fig. 3). It is preferable that the fibers of the second surface layer 3 and the intermediate layer 4 in the laminated portion 1 exhibit the same orientation direction in each region 14 in which the laminated portion 1 extends. From the viewpoint of improving the mobility of the laminated portion 1, it is most preferable that the orientation direction of the fibers of the second surface layer 3 and the intermediate layer 4 is a direction orthogonal to the orientation direction of the fibers of the first surface layer 2, that is, the direction in which the laminated portion 1 moves.

In addition, it is preferable that the fibers of the first face layer 2 of the laminated portion 1 exhibit the same orientation direction as the fibers of the single-layer portion 7. This provides a smoother touch to the first surface Z1 of the nonwoven fabric 10.

As described above, the fibers having the same orientation direction means that the ratio of the number of fibers P3 to the number of fibers P4 (number of fibers P3/number of fibers P4) is 1.2 or more at each position for comparison, the number of fibers P3 is the number of fibers intersecting both sides in one direction of a virtual square when the surface of the target portion of the nonwoven fabric 10 along the plane direction is observed and the virtual square is arranged, and the number of fibers P4 is the number of fibers intersecting both sides in the other direction of the square. The ratio is preferably 1.5 or more, and more preferably 2 or more, for each part to be compared. At this time, the angle of each side of the square was not changed with respect to the nonwoven fabric when measurement was performed between the observed portions. That is, the side of the square of P3 at the first measurement and the side of the square of P3 at the other site to be observed next measurement must be parallel. In addition, P3, P3 indicates that the number of the first fibers is larger than P4.

The numbers of fibers P3 and P4 can be measured as described above (methods for measuring the numbers of fibers P1 and P2). The observation surface of the target site may be one of the first surface Z1 and the second surface Z2 of the target site.

Next, the nonwoven fabric 20 for an absorbent article (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "nonwoven fabric 20") of the second embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article 10 of the first embodiment will be described with respect to the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article 20 of the second embodiment. In the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 20 of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the parts and the like that are common to the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 10 of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 and 5 show a nonwoven fabric 20 according to a second embodiment. The nonwoven fabric 20 of the second embodiment is different from the nonwoven fabric 10 of the first embodiment in the arrangement in the planar direction of the layered portion 1. Other matters are the same as the nonwoven fabric 10 of the first embodiment in that the nonwoven fabric 20 of the second embodiment has a plurality of laminated portions 1, the first surface layer 2 and the second surface layer 3 are flat layers, and the fibers of both layers are oriented in the planar direction, and various preferable embodiments shown in the nonwoven fabric 10 of the first embodiment are suitably applied.

In the nonwoven fabric 20, as shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 4, the single-layer portion 7 is disposed between the adjacent laminated portions 1. The nonwoven fabric 20 has, as the single-layer portion 7, a single-layer portion 71 on the first surface side Z1 (hereinafter, also referred to as a surface single-layer portion 71) and a single-layer portion 72 on the second surface side Z2 (hereinafter, also referred to as a back single-layer portion 72). The front single-layer portion 71 is continuous with the first face layer 2 of the laminated portion 1, and constitutes a flat face of the first face side Z1 of the nonwoven fabric 20. The back single-layer portion 72 is continuous with the second face layer 3 of the laminated portion 1 and constitutes a flat surface of the second face side Z2 of the nonwoven fabric 20.

In the nonwoven fabric 20, a region 21 in which the single-layer portion 7 extends in a certain direction is preferably present in a plan view as shown in fig. 5. Further, it is preferable that there is a region 22 in which the single-layer portion 7 extends in a direction orthogonal to the certain direction. The single-layer portion 7 constituting the regions 21 and 22 may be a surface single-layer portion 71. Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal direction Y and a width direction X as the one direction and a direction orthogonal to the one direction. However, the orientation is not limited to these directions, and includes various directions in the plane of the nonwoven fabric 20.

In the nonwoven fabric 20, the presence of at least one of the region 21 and the region 22 in which the surface single-layer portion 71 extends makes the surface single-layer portions 7 uniformly aligned, and thus a smooth feel without unevenness can be more easily obtained.

In addition, it is preferable that a region 23 of the laminated portion 1 surrounded by the single-layer portion 7 exists in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric 20. This embodiment includes a region 23 in which the laminated portion 1 is present in a portion surrounded by the region 21 and the region 22 extending from the surface single-layer portion 71. In this embodiment, the regions 23 of the laminated portion 1 are regularly arranged at regular intervals in a lattice formed by the regions 21 and the regions 22 extending in the front single-layer portion 71 and being orthogonal to each other. Just as the laminate portion 1 is configured to support the entire plane of the non-woven fabric 20 like a road tile. The laminated portion 1 also constitutes a movable region 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This enables the plane of the nonwoven fabric 20 to flexibly follow the movement of the skin in all directions, and further improves the performance of preventing the skin from rubbing. The plurality of laminated portions 1 are formed to have a thickness corresponding to the entire plane of the nonwoven fabric 20, and function as soft springs to provide cushioning properties.

In addition, it is preferable that a region 24 of the other single-layer portion 7 is also present in the region 23 of the laminated portion 1. The single-layer portion 7 constituting the region 24 may be a rear single-layer portion 72. The plurality of laminated portions 1 functioning as described above easily move in any direction of 360 ° from one of the regions 24 of the single-layer portion 7, and further improve the performance of preventing skin friction.

Further, it is preferable that the fibers of the single-layer portion 7 extending in a certain direction and the fibers of the single-layer portion 7 extending in a direction orthogonal to the certain direction exhibit the same orientation direction in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric 20. Specifically, it is preferable that the fibers in the region 21 in which the surface single-layer portion 71 extends in the longitudinal direction Y and the fibers in the region 22 in which the surface single-layer portion 71 extends in the width direction X exhibit the same orientation direction. This makes the first surface Z1 of the nonwoven fabric 20 feel smoother. The same orientation direction of the fibers as used herein means the same meaning as defined in the definition of the nonwoven fabric 10 of the first embodiment. The numbers of fibers P3 and P4 were also measured by the same method as described above. In the second embodiment, the preferred ranges shown for the first embodiment can also be applied.

As described above, the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 10 of the first embodiment and the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 20 of the second embodiment can be appropriately combined within a range not contradictory to each other. For example, in the nonwoven fabric 20 for an absorbent article of the second embodiment, as a planar arrangement of the laminate section 1 shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 4, there is exemplified an arrangement in which a region extending in one direction of the nonwoven fabric plane of the laminate section 1 of the first embodiment is disposed adjacent to a region 21 or a region 22 extending in the single-layer section 7 (not shown).

In the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 10 according to the first embodiment and the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 20 according to the second embodiment, a part of the laminate section 1 may be a five-layer section. Specifically, there may be a case where two layers of the intermediate layer 4 and the second surface layer 3 of the laminated portion 1 are laminated on another laminated portion 1 adjacent thereto to form a five-layer portion (not shown). This increases the thickness, improves the cushioning property, and improves the soft touch feeling.

The nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 10 according to the first embodiment and the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 20 according to the second embodiment can be produced by the method shown in fig. 6. In fig. 6, a support convex member 120 and a support concave member 130 for shaping the fiber web 110 before nonwoven forming are used. The nonwoven fabric precursor obtained by shaping is compressed in the thickness direction to manufacture the nonwoven fabric precursor. The compression in the thickness direction is preferably performed simultaneously with the application of the temperature.

First, as shown in fig. 6 (a), the fiber web 110 is placed on the support convex member 120, and is shaped by being pressed from above the fiber web 110 by the support concave member 130 and sandwiched.

The support convex member 120 has a plurality of protrusions 121 vertically standing on the base material. Between the protrusions 121, 121 are recesses 122, and the recesses 122 are arranged in a grid pattern.

The support concave member 130 has a protrusion 131 corresponding to the concave portion 122 of the support convex member 120. Between the protrusions 131, 131 is a recess 132 corresponding to the protrusion 121 of the support convex member 120. In the first embodiment, the projections 131 and the recesses 132 have a shape continuous in one direction in a plan view, and the projections 131 and the recesses 132 of the support are alternately arranged in a direction orthogonal to the one direction. Specifically, a plurality of annular disks are connected at equal intervals in the direction of the rotation axis, and a drum shape is exemplified. In the second embodiment, the protrusions 131 are in a lattice shape, and the recesses 132 are arranged inside the lattice shape.

In the support concave member 130, the distance between the protrusions 131, 131 is larger than the width of the protrusion 121 of the support convex member 120. The distance is appropriately set so that the fiber web 110 can be sandwiched between the protrusions 121 of the support convex member 120 and the protrusions 131 of the support concave member 130, and the connecting portions 3 in which the fibers are oriented in the thickness direction can be appropriately shaped.

The hot air W1 blowing process shown in fig. 6 (B) is arbitrarily performed by using the support convex member 120 and the support concave member 130 described above. Then, the supporting concave member 130 is removed, and hot air W2 shown in fig. 6 (C) is blown to fuse the fibers together and form a nonwoven fabric. Finally, the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 10 of the first embodiment and the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles 20 of the second embodiment can be produced by compressing the entire plane of the obtained nonwoven fabric precursor in the thickness direction. In addition, the hot air W1 and the hot air W2 are not always required to be both, and the step of blowing the first hot air W1 may be omitted and only the second hot air W2 may be used. Examples of the method of compressing in the thickness direction include a method of pressing against a calender roll, a method of tightly winding by applying tension, and a method of compressing a nonwoven fabric by applying a load. The compression in the thickness direction is preferably performed simultaneously with the application of the temperature. When the temperature is set to 30 ℃ or higher, the glass is easily broken and easily formed into a desired shape.

The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article 10 of the first embodiment and the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article 20 of the second embodiment. The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention includes various forms including a single nonwoven fabric having thermoplastic fibers, a laminated portion 1, a flat first surface layer 2 and a flat second surface layer 3, and two layers of fibers oriented in a planar direction.

In the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention, from the viewpoint of generation of motion, the apparent thickness H1 under a load of 35Pa (substantially no load) is preferably 0.5mm or more, more preferably 1mm or more, and still more preferably 1.2mm or more. In addition, the apparent thickness H1 under the load of 35Pa is preferably 5mm or less, more preferably 4mm or less, and further preferably 3mm or less, from the viewpoint of surface smoothness. Specifically, the apparent thickness H1 under the load of 35Pa is preferably 0.5mm or more and 5mm or less, more preferably 1mm or more and 4mm or less, and still more preferably 1.2mm or more and 3mm or less.

In the present invention, the "apparent thickness" refers to the thickness between virtual planes that are in contact with the outermost portions of the front and back surfaces of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article as a whole.

In the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention, from the viewpoint of occurrence of motion, the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa (high load) is preferably 0.2mm or more, more preferably 0.3mm or more, and still more preferably 0.5mm or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of surface smoothness, the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa is preferably 3mm or less, more preferably 2mm or less, and further preferably 1.5mm or less. Specifically, the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa is preferably 0.2mm or more and 3mm or less, more preferably 0.3mm or more and 2mm or less, and further preferably 0.5mm or more and 1.5mm or less.

Further, in the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention, from the viewpoint of surface smoothness, the ratio (H2/H1) of the apparent thickness H2 under a load of 1kPa (high load) to the apparent thickness H1 under a load of 35Pa (substantially no load) is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and still more preferably 30% or more. The larger the ratio, the better, but actually 80% or less.

(method of measuring apparent thickness of nonwoven Fabric for absorbent article of the invention)

The nonwoven fabric to be measured was cut into 10cm × 10 cm. When the thickness of the film is not 10cm × 10cm, the film is cut into a larger area as much as possible. The thickness under the load was measured using a laser thickness meter (ZSLD 80 manufactured by OMRON corporation). The three points were measured, and the average value was defined as the apparent thickness of the nonwoven fabric 10.

In addition, from the viewpoint of enhancing the function of the active region 5, the ratio (E2/E1) of the area E2 of the layered portion 1 to the entire area E1 in a plan view of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, and still more preferably 20% or more. From the viewpoint of activity, the larger the activity, the better the activity, but the activity is actually 95% or less.

The nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention can be incorporated into various components of an absorbent article, while exhibiting smooth touch and skin friction prevention performance. For example, the absorbent article may be exemplified by articles for absorbing liquid discharged from the body, such as menstrual sanitary napkins, pantiliners, disposable diapers, and incontinence pads. The nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles of the present invention is suitably used as a topsheet, a second sheet (a sheet disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent body), an absorbent sheet, a covering sheet for covering the absorbent body, a leakage-preventing sheet, and the like in absorbent articles.

Among these, the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is preferably arranged as a topsheet, and the first surface side is preferably oriented toward the skin surface side. Preferably, the absorbent member is disposed on the second surface side of the topsheet.

Further, it is preferable that the constituent member of the absorbent article is stuck to the second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article of the present invention, and the adhesive is disposed in an area of less than 70% of the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent article of the present invention. This can greatly exhibit the smooth touch on the first surface side of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles of the present invention and the movement action of the layered portion 1. From this viewpoint, the ratio of the area of the adhesive to the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles of the present invention is more preferably 65% or less, and still more preferably 50% or less. In order to ensure stability when the laminated portion 1 is moved, the ratio of the area of the adhesive to the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, and even more preferably 20% or more. Specifically, the ratio of the area of the adhesive to the entire second surface side of the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is preferably 10% or more and less than 70%, more preferably 15% or more and 65% or less, and still more preferably 20% or more and 50% or less.

An absorbent article for absorbing liquid discharged from the body typically includes a topsheet, a backsheet, and a liquid-retentive absorbent member interposed between the two sheets. When the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention is used as a topsheet, the absorbent body and the backsheet may be made of materials generally used in the art without any particular limitation. For example, as the absorbent body, an absorbent core is included, and optionally a covering sheet wrapping the absorbent core is included. The absorbent core may be exemplified by a fiber aggregate containing a fiber material such as pulp fiber or an aggregate of absorbent polymers, or a mixture thereof. The coated sheet may be toilet paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like. As the back sheet, a film of a thermoplastic resin, a liquid-impermeable or water-repellent sheet such as a laminate of the film and a nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used. The back sheet may also have water vapor permeability. The absorbent article may further include various members corresponding to specific uses of the absorbent article. For example, when the absorbent article is applied to a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin, one or two or more pairs of three-dimensional guards may be disposed on both the left and right side portions of the topsheet.

In this way, absorbent articles having the nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles of the present invention as a constituent member are distributed in the market in a folded state. At this time, the absorbent article package is stored in the package bag. As an example of the absorbent article package, a plurality of absorbent articles in a folded state are stacked and stored in one package bag. The absorbent article package may be an absorbent article package in which the absorbent articles in a folded state are individually contained in individual packaging bags to form individual packages, and a plurality of the individual packages are further contained in one packaging bag. In the absorbent article in the folded state, the nonwoven fabric included in the absorbent article is preferably in the state shown as the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention. In addition, it is preferable that the nonwoven fabric included in the absorbent article is in a state shown as the nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention in an absorbent article package in which a plurality of absorbent articles are accommodated.