CN212800746U

CN212800746U - Nonwoven fabric, laminate comprising same, and absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN212800746U
Application number: CN202020615396.1U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 川上祐介; 高居义; 郭晓彤
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2019-04-26
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2021-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-22
Also published as: BR112021017160A2; TW202100121A; JP7334056B2; JP2020180410A; CN111850819A; WO2020217856A1; CN111850819B

Abstract

The utility model provides a non-woven fabrics, laminate and absorbent article that contain this non-woven fabrics. The utility model discloses the skin sense of touch that makes the non-woven fabrics is good to easy visual confirmation trompil. A nonwoven fabric (1) having a plurality of apertures (5), wherein the nonwoven fabric (1) has at least a 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer (10) and a 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer (30) each formed of thermoplastic fibers, and an intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer (20) disposed between the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer (20) is smaller than the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer (10) and the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer (30), and the plurality of apertures (5) are apertures (5) formed so as to penetrate the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer (10), the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer (20), and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer (30).

Description

Nonwoven fabric, laminate comprising same, and absorbent article

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a non-woven fabrics, contain the laminate of this non-woven fabrics and contain this non-woven fabrics or the absorbent article of this laminate.

Background

Nonwoven fabrics having openings and absorbent articles for absorbing liquid and the like using such nonwoven fabrics have been known. For example, patent document 1 discloses a disposable wearing article including a cover nonwoven fabric having a plurality of holes penetrating through the front and back surfaces and a liquid-impermeable sheet having the cover nonwoven fabric bonded thereto via a hot-melt adhesive.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-57810

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Problem to be solved by utility model

In the case where a plurality of openings are provided in the nonwoven fabric, although it is easy to form clear openings in a slightly rigid nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric may be more rigid as a whole in accordance with the aggregation of fibers at the edge of each opening. Further, as in patent document 1, at least a part of the warped portion of each hole is bonded to another sheet by a hot-melt adhesive, and the bonded area can be reduced to maintain flexibility, but the edge portion of each hole to which the adhesive is applied may be hardened, and the nonwoven fabric provided with a plurality of such holes may feel hard as a whole. In addition, even when the edge portions of the respective holes are melted and solidified, the holes are reliably formed, but the edge portions of the holes are hardened, which may deteriorate the texture of the skin.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric which has a good texture and is easy to visually confirm the perforation.

Means for solving the problems

A main technical means for achieving the above object is a nonwoven fabric having a plurality of openings, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric has at least a 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, a 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, and an intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer disposed between the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, each of the fibers constituting the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer having an average fiber diameter smaller than an average fiber diameter of each of the fibers constituting the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the fibers constituting the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, and the plurality of openings are openings formed so as to penetrate the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

Effect of the utility model

Adopt the utility model discloses, the skin sense of touch that can make the non-woven fabrics is good to easy visual confirmation trompil.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a nonwoven fabric 1.

Fig. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the nonwoven fabric 1, fig. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a process of forming the apertures 5, and fig. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the apertures 5 formed.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the X region of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the laminate 3 is separated into the nonwoven fabric 1 and the other sheet member 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the Y region of fig. 4.

Fig. 6A is a schematic enlarged view for explaining an example of the

openings

5 and 6 of the laminate 3, and fig. 6B is a schematic enlarged view for explaining an example of the

openings

5 and 6 of the laminate 3.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the diaper 100.

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side.

Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the non-skin side.

Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view taken along line C-C in fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the non-skin side according to another embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side according to another embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: non-woven fabric, 2: additional sheet member, 3: laminate, 4: a non-woven fabric is formed by non-woven fabrics,

5: opening, 5 a: opening, 5 b: open cell, 5 adi: pore size, 5 ae: rim, 5 aeh: a joint part is arranged at the joint part,

5a 60: overlapping region, 5M: in the middle area of the image, the image is displayed,

6: opening, 6 a: open cell, 6 adi: pore diameter, 6 aeh: a joint part is arranged at the joint part,

10: 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, 20: intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer, 30: the 2 nd layer of thermoplastic fibers is,

40: pin, 60: non-perforated area, 70: a non-joint portion of the first and second bodies,

100: absorbent article (diaper), 105: open area, 106: the area of the non-opening hole,

110: absorbent main body, 110 es: end, 111: absorbent core, 112: the core cladding sheet is provided with a core cladding sheet,

113: a topsheet, 120: a non-woven fabric is formed by non-woven fabrics,

117: leg elastic member, 118: LSG elastic member, 120: a non-woven fabric is formed by non-woven fabrics,

120 bf: projection, 120 bg: folded-back portion, 120 c: in the crotch region, the crotch region is,

125: diaphragm, 130: abdomen-side waist-body portion, 130 e: a side edge part is arranged at the side edge part,

140: back waist, 140 e: side edge portion, 150: lower crotch portion, 160: an elastic member is provided on the outer surface of the body,

510: edge portion, 520: edge portion, 530: a rim portion, a first side wall and a second side wall,

HB: waist opening, HL: the openings of the leg circumference are arranged on the leg circumference,

LG: leg gathers, LG 1: leg gather, LSG: and (5) performing three-dimensional pleating.

Detailed Description

At least the following matters will be apparent from the description of the present specification and the drawings.

A nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises at least a 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, a 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer and an intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer disposed between the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, each of the fibers comprising the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer having an average fiber diameter smaller than an average fiber diameter of each of the fibers comprising the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the fibers comprising the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, and wherein the plurality of apertures are formed so as to penetrate the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

According to such a nonwoven fabric, the average fiber diameter of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is small, and therefore the three layers are most easily melted. Therefore, for example, when the holes are formed by heated pins or the like, the edge portions of the holes in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer are easily melted, and the melted fibers are easily solidified to form the holes with a clear outline. Even when the holes are formed by punching pins or the like without heating, the fibers of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer having a small average fiber diameter tend to gather at the edge of the holes, and the holes having a clear shape tend to be formed. On the other hand, the 1 st and 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layers have a large average fiber diameter, and therefore fibers are less likely to gather at the opening edge portion. Therefore, the edge portion is hard to be hardened and can be kept soft. Therefore, by providing the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer with the holes having a clear outline, the visibility of the holes can be improved, and the non-woven fabric having a soft skin feel can be provided by preventing the edge portions of the holes of the 1 st fiber layer and the 2 nd fiber layer from becoming hard.

The nonwoven fabric desirably has a higher MFR (melt flow rate) of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer than the MFR of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the MFR of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

According to such a nonwoven fabric, the fibers of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer are more easily melted even at the same temperature, and thus, the open pores with a clear outline are easily formed. On the other hand, since the 1 st and 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layers are melted at a low speed, the opening edge portions are not melted, and the edge portions are not hardened, and the layers themselves maintain softness. In this manner, holes are formed in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer, the edges of which are melted and then cooled and solidified, so that the holes are visible and softness is obtained in the upper and lower layers.

In the nonwoven fabric, it is desirable that the average fiber density of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer in an intermediate region between a certain aperture and another aperture adjacent to the certain aperture among the plurality of apertures is higher than the average fiber density of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer in the intermediate region and the average fiber density of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer in the intermediate region.

According to such a nonwoven fabric, the intermediate region is a region having a substantially uniform fiber density, and if the apertures are formed in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer having a high average fiber density in the intermediate region, the amount of fibers gathered at the edge of the apertures also increases, and thus the apertures are easily and reliably formed. Thereby, the visibility of the opening is improved.

The nonwoven fabric desirably has an average basis weight of 10g/m²Above and 20g/m²The following.

According to such a nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric can maintain appropriate strength and flexibility in the above-described range of the basis weight.

The nonwoven fabric desirably has an average basis weight of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer lower than the average basis weight of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the average basis weight of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

According to such a nonwoven fabric, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is easily formed into clear openings because of its high density, but the intermediate fiber layer itself is easily hardened because the edges of the openings are melted and then cooled and solidified. By making the average basis weight of such an intermediate fiber layer low, flexibility can be maintained.

The nonwoven fabric desirably has an average thickness of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer that is thinner than an average thickness of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and an average thickness of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

According to such a nonwoven fabric, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is easily formed into clear openings because of its high density, but the intermediate fiber layer itself is easily hardened because the edges of the openings are melted and then cooled and solidified. By making the average thickness of the intermediate fiber layer thin, the shape of the openings can be maintained and flexibility can be maintained.

A laminate, wherein the laminate comprises: non-woven fabrics; and another sheet member which is arranged to overlap with the nonwoven fabric and has a plurality of openings.

According to such a laminate, the laminate obtained by laminating a nonwoven fabric having good visibility of openings and another sheet member having a plurality of openings has good air permeability because the number of openings is large. Further, a laminate having a good tactile sensation to the skin can be formed by utilizing the softness of the nonwoven fabric side.

In the laminate, it is preferable that a certain opening of the plurality of openings of the nonwoven fabric overlaps with one opening of the plurality of openings of the other sheet member, and an edge portion adjacent to the certain opening and an edge portion adjacent to the one opening are joined to each other at least partially.

According to such a laminate, the air permeability is further improved by overlapping the openings. The outline of the opening of the joined edge portions becomes clear, and thus the visibility of the opening becomes good.

The laminate desirably has at least a part of the certain opening overlapping with a non-opening region of the other sheet member having no opening.

According to such a laminate, the shadow of the openings at the positions where the openings overlap is enhanced, and visibility is improved.

In the laminate, it is desirable that the edge portion adjacent to the certain opening and the non-opening region have non-joined portions which are not joined to each other.

According to such a laminate, the edge portion, which is likely to be hardened by the fibers being gathered, and the non-perforated region are not joined to each other, and the edge portion is not hardened, and flexibility can be maintained as a laminate.

In the laminate, it is preferable that the hole diameter of the certain hole is larger than the hole diameter of one of the plurality of holes of the other sheet member, and the one hole is located inside the certain hole in a plan view.

According to such a laminate, the air permeability is further improved by overlapping the openings of the nonwoven fabric and the openings of the support sheet. In addition, the visibility is improved by reinforcing the shadow with the overlapping apertures.

An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction that intersect each other in an unfolded state, the absorbent article comprising: non-woven fabrics; and an absorbent main body including an absorbent body for absorbing liquid and a liquid-impermeable film sheet for covering the absorbent body from a non-skin side in the thickness direction, wherein the nonwoven fabric is disposed on the non-skin side of the film sheet in the thickness direction, the nonwoven fabric has a perforated region in which a plurality of perforations are present in a portion overlapping the film sheet when viewed in the thickness direction, and has a non-perforated region in which no perforations are present in a portion not overlapping the film sheet when viewed in the thickness direction.

According to such an absorbent article, the portion where the film sheet is present exhibits excellent air permeability due to the presence of the openings, and leakage can be prevented by the film sheet. The portion where the diaphragm does not exist can prevent leakage by providing a non-perforated area.

The absorbent article desirably has an abdomen-side waist portion located on one end side in the longitudinal direction, a back-side waist portion located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and a crotch portion located between the abdomen-side waist portion and the back-side waist portion, the nonwoven fabric having a crotch region located in the crotch portion, the crotch region having leg gathers provided with a plurality of elastic members which are stretchable in the longitudinal direction, the leg gathers having the non-perforated region.

According to such an absorbent article, the nonwoven fabric having the openings is disposed in the crotch portion, so that breathability is maintained, and the leg gathers, which are likely to leak, are made into the non-opening regions, so that leakage is less likely to occur.

In the absorbent article, it is desirable that at least a part of the nonwoven fabric is disposed at a position closest to a non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent article.

According to such an absorbent article, the openings are easily visible and visibility of the openings is improved by being disposed at a position closest to the non-skin side.

An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction that intersect each other in an unfolded state, the absorbent article comprising: a laminate; and an absorbent main body for absorbing liquid.

Such an absorbent article is easy to further improve air permeability and can suppress skin problems such as rash.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings

< basic Structure of nonwoven Fabric >

First, the basic structure of the nonwoven fabric 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a nonwoven fabric 1.

The nonwoven fabric 1 is a nonwoven fabric having thermoplastic fibers as constituent fibers, and in the present embodiment, a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) nonwoven fabric is exemplified. Examples of the thermoplastic fibers of the nonwoven fabric 1 include polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In addition, not only a single fiber such as polypropylene or polyethylene but also a composite fiber (Bico) having a sheath-core structure made of polypropylene or polyethylene can be used.

As shown in fig. 1, the nonwoven fabric 1 is a planar strip-shaped sheet member having a longitudinal direction and a width direction which is a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and being long in the longitudinal direction. The thickness direction is defined as a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the nonwoven fabric 1. The nonwoven fabric 1 is provided with a plurality of openings 5 penetrating the front and back at intervals. The nonwoven fabric 1 has a three-layer structure including a 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and a 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 each formed of thermoplastic fibers, and an intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 disposed between the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30.

Regarding the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting each of the fiber layers 10, 20, 30, the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 is preferably 20 μm, and the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is preferably 5 μm. That is, it is preferable that the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is smaller than the average fiber diameter of each of the fibers constituting the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the fibers constituting the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30.

The measurement of the fiber diameter for calculating the average fiber diameter described above may be performed by a known method. For example, the cross section and the surface of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 are enlarged by an electron microscope. Then, the diameter of the fiber present in the magnified image is measured. The fiber diameters of a plurality (for example, 20) of fibers were measured, and the average value thereof was set as the average fiber diameter.

Fig. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the nonwoven fabric 1, fig. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a process of forming the apertures 5, and fig. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the apertures 5 formed. The apertures 5 provided in the nonwoven fabric 1 can be formed using, for example, a heated pin member (pin 40 described later) or the like. As shown in fig. 2A, the heated pins 40 (fig. 2B) are inserted into the nonwoven fabric 1 stacked in order from the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 in the thickness direction from the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 side, and are pulled out after penetrating the pins, thereby forming the openings 5. In this case, as described above, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 of the present embodiment has a smaller average fiber diameter than the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30, and is therefore the most easily meltable layer of the three layers. Thus, for example, in the case of forming the openings by the heated pins 40, the edge portions 520 (fig. 2C) of the openings 5 of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 are easily melted. The melted fibers then solidify, thereby facilitating the formation of well-defined openings in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20. Here, the "edge" of the present embodiment is, for example, a portion having a width of 2mm from the opening 5 to the outside in the radial direction.

Even when the pin 40 or the like is inserted without heating to form the hole, the fibers of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 having a small average fiber diameter are likely to gather at the edge 520 of the hole 5, and the hole having a clear shape is likely to be formed. On the other hand, since the average fiber diameters of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 are large, fibers are hard to gather at both the edge 510 (fig. 2C) of the opening 5 of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the edge 530 (fig. 2C) of the opening 5 of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30. This makes the

edge portions

510 and 530 hard and flexible. Therefore, by providing the apertures 5 with clear outlines in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, the visibility of the apertures 5 can be improved, and the non-woven fabric 1 having a soft touch to the skin can be formed because the edge portion 510 of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the edge portion 530 of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 are not hardened.

The ease of melting of the fibers constituting the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 can also be compared by using MFR (melt flow rate) which is one of the criteria indicating the fluidity of the resin in a molten state. The MFR of the nonwoven fabric 1 of the present invention was measured according to JIS K-7210 by adjusting the resin for measurement from the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30, respectively, by the following method. Wherein the measurement is carried out here under the measurement conditions of polypropylene, i.e. heated to 230 ℃.

[ method of adjusting resin for measurement ]

Each of the fiber layers about 0.15g to 0.20g to be measured was folded at about 5cm square, and the nonwoven fabric was pressed at about 24kPa for 3 seconds by a press heated to 200 ℃ to form a film. The nonwoven fabric formed into a film shape was finely cut and adjusted to a resin for measurement.

For the MFR thus measured, the 1 st and 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layers 10 and 30 are preferably 30g/10min to 80g/10min, and the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is preferably 800g/10min to 1800g/10 min. That is, the MFR of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is higher than the MFR of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the MFR of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30. Thus, even at the same temperature, the fibers of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 are more easily melted, and the clear-cut holes are easily formed. On the other hand, since the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 are melted at a low speed, they are hardly melted to the extent of inserting the pin 40, and only the fibers in the openings 5 gather at the edge portions of the openings 5 (510, 530). This prevents the

edge portions

510 and 530 from becoming hard, and the layer itself remains soft. As described above, the openings 5 formed by melting the edge portion 520 and then cooling and solidifying are formed in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 as the intermediate layer, whereby softness is obtained in the upper and lower layers while ensuring visibility of the openings 5.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the X region of fig. 1. As shown in fig. 3, a region between one of the plurality of openings 5a and another opening 5b adjacent to the one opening 5a is referred to as an intermediate region 5M. In this intermediate region 5M, the average fiber density of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is preferably higher than the average fiber density of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the average fiber density of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30. The reason why the average densities of the layers are compared in the intermediate region 5M is that the density is high because the fibers are gathered at the edge portion 5ae (i.e., the

edge portions

510, 520, 530) of the opening 5, but the intermediate region 5M is a region in which the fiber density is substantially uniform originally. Further, before the openings 5 are formed, the portion should also have a uniform density as in the middle region 5M, and therefore the density of the middle region 5M is measured.

The measurement of the density is performed, for example, as follows. First, a cross section in the thickness direction of a longitudinal portion (a longitudinal portion indicated by a broken line in fig. 3) including two adjacent apertures 5 in the longitudinal direction is sampled from the nonwoven fabric 1. Then, the cross sections of the fiber layers 10, 20, and 30 are observed under an electron microscope or the like in an enlarged manner, and the density is compared. In the present embodiment, since the magnitude relation of the density of each fiber layer can be confirmed, it is not necessary to obtain a strict value, and even if there is some error in the measured value, it is acceptable.

When the openings 5 are formed in the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 having a high average fiber density in the intermediate region 5M, the amount of fibers gathered in the opening edge portions 520 also increases, and therefore, the openings 5 can be easily and reliably formed. Thereby, the visibility of the opening 5 is improved.

In order to ensure strength and softness as the nonwoven fabric 1, the nonwoven fabric 1 of the present invention, in which the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 are combined together, preferably has an average basis weight of 10g/m²Above and 20g/m²The following. The weight per unit area herein means the weight per unit area of the region also including the openings 5. Since the fibers existing in the openings 5 before the openings 5 are formed originally move only to the edge portions 5ae of the openings 5, the fibers are set to the region including the openings 5 in the present embodiment. Then, the average value of the results obtained by measuring the basis weights of a plurality of portions (for example, 10 portions) of the nonwoven fabric 1 is defined as an average basis weight. By having the weight per unit area in such a range, the nonwoven fabric 1 can maintain appropriate strength and flexibility.

Next, the basis weights of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 of the nonwoven fabric 1 were compared. The nonwoven fabric 1 is cut at a portion where the apertures 5 are not present, and the cut surface is enlarged with a microscope or the like, and the size of the total area of the regions identified as the presence of fibers at the cut surface is visually compared, whereby the basis weight of each layer is compared. In the present embodiment, since the magnitude relation of the basis weight of each fiber layer is only required to be checked, it is not necessary to obtain a strict value, and even if there is some error in the measured value, it is acceptable. With this method, the basis weight is compared for a plurality of portions (for example, 10 portions) of each fiber layer, and when a specific magnitude relationship is established at any portion, it is determined that the average basis weight of one layer is greater than the average basis weight of the other layer. Here, the average basis weight of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is preferably lower than the average basis weight of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the average basis weight of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30. As described above, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 has a high density and thus easily forms clear openings, but the opening edge portion 520 is further densified after melting, and is cooled and solidified or not melted, and thus the intermediate fiber layer 20 itself is easily hardened. By making the average basis weight of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 low, flexibility can be maintained.

In addition, the average thickness of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is preferably thinner than the average thickness of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10 and the average thickness of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30. The "average thickness" is an average value of results obtained by measuring a plurality of portions (for example, 10 portions) of each of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer 10, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer 30 using a thickness measuring instrument (for example, a digital microscope VHX-2000 manufactured by KEYENCE corporation). As described above, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 is easily formed with clear openings because of its high density, but the opening edge portion 520 is often further densified even when it is cooled and solidified after melting or when it is not melted. Therefore, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 itself may be hardened. By making the average thickness of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer 20 thin, the shape of the openings can be maintained and flexibility can be maintained.

< laminate 3 Using nonwoven Fabric 1 >

Next, an example of using the nonwoven fabric 1 of the present invention will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the laminate 3 is separated into the nonwoven fabric 1 and the other sheet member 2. The laminate 3 using the nonwoven fabric 1 includes another sheet member 2 in addition to the nonwoven fabric 1. The other sheet member 2 is disposed so as to overlap the nonwoven fabric 1, and is provided with a plurality of apertures 6 formed in a state of overlapping the nonwoven fabric 1. The sheet member 2 may be a resin film or the like other than a nonwoven fabric such as a heat-bonded nonwoven fabric, a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric, or a spunlace nonwoven fabric, and may be used as a support sheet for the nonwoven fabric 1.

The laminate 3 has the plurality of holes 5 of the nonwoven fabric 1 of the present invention and the plurality of holes 6 provided in the nonwoven fabric 1 and the other sheet member 2, so that the number of holes is increased, and the breathability is more easily ensured. Further, a laminate having a good tactile sensation to the skin can be formed by the softness of the nonwoven fabric 1 side.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the Y region of fig. 4, showing a state in which the nonwoven fabric 1 and the sheet member 2 are superposed. When one of the plurality of openings 5a of the nonwoven fabric 1 is viewed as an example, the opening 5a may overlap one of the plurality of openings 6a provided on the other sheet member 2 side. The rim portion 5ae adjacent to the certain hole 5a and the rim portion 6ae adjacent to the one hole 6a have engaging portions 5aeh, 6aeh at least partially engaged with each other. When the apertures 6 are formed so as to penetrate the nonwoven fabric 1 and the sheet member 2, at least a part of the overlapping portions of the edge portions 5ae of the apertures 5 and the edge portions 6ae of the apertures 6 may be melted and then cooled and solidified to form the bonded portions 5aeh, 6 aeh. Even when the overlapping portion of the edge portions 5ae and 6ae is not melted, if a hot melt adhesive or the like is used to bond the nonwoven fabric 1 and the sheet member 2, the joining portions 5aeh and 6aeh can be formed by such an adhesive. In addition, although the overlapping portions of the

holes

5 and 6 are normally the hole portions and the outlines of the holes are not visible, the outlines of the holes are retained by solid lines in fig. 4 and 5 (and fig. 6A and 6B described later) for convenience of explanation.

In the laminate 3, the openings 5(5a) and 6(6a) overlap each other, and air permeability is further improved. In addition, the joints 5aeh and 6aeh have a clear outline of the opening 5(6) due to the gathered fibers, and thus have good visibility.

Fig. 6A is a schematic enlarged view for explaining an example of the

openings

5 and 6 of the laminate 3. In fig. 6A, one of the plurality of holes 5 of the nonwoven fabric 1 of the laminate 3 of the present invention is referred to as a hole 5a, and one of the plurality of holes 6 provided on the sheet member 2 side is referred to as a hole 6A. Further, a region of the other sheet member 2 having no hole is set as a non-hole region 60 (a portion shown by oblique lines inclined downward and leftward). As shown in fig. 6A, at least a part of one of the openings 5a has a region 5a60 (a portion shown in a lattice shape) overlapping with the non-opening region 60 of the other sheet member 2. This enhances the shading of the openings where the openings overlap each other, thereby improving visibility.

In addition, the edge portion 5ae adjacent to a certain hole 5a and the non-hole area 60 preferably have non-engaging portions 70 that do not engage with each other. The edge portion 5ae, in which the fibers are gathered and easily hardened, and the non-perforated region 60, which is a region having no perforations in the sheet member 2, are not joined, so that the edge portion 5ae is not hardened, and flexibility as the laminate 3 can be maintained.

Fig. 6B is a schematic enlarged view for explaining an example of the

holes

5 and 6 of the laminate 3, and shows an example of the relationship between the sizes of the

holes

5 and 6. When the diameter of one of the holes 5a is 5adi and the diameter of one of the holes 6a provided on the other sheet member 2 side is 6adi, the diameter 5adi is preferably larger than the diameter 6 adi. In the sizes of the apertures 5adi and 6adi in this example, if the edge of the lower hole (the edge of the opening 6a in fig. 6B) is visible in a plan view, the aperture of the upper hole (5a) is larger, and if not visible, the aperture of the upper hole (5a) is smaller. Further, the hole 6a is preferably located inside the hole 5a in a plan view. This further improves the air permeability of the laminate 3 at the portion where the apertures 5a of the nonwoven fabric 1 and the apertures 6a of the other sheet member 2 overlap. Further, the overlapping

holes

5a and 6a can form a shadow in the overlapping portion of the

holes

5a and 6a in a plan view, thereby improving the visibility of the holes.

< absorbent article 100 Using nonwoven Fabric 1 >

As an example of a specific method of using the nonwoven fabric 1, a case of using the nonwoven fabric in an absorbent article will be described. Here, as the absorbent article 100, a pants-type disposable diaper 100 (hereinafter, also referred to as "diaper 100") is exemplified. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the diaper 100. Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side. Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the non-skin side. In fig. 9, there is also a portion shown in a perspective view for explaining the opening 5. Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view taken along line C-C in fig. 8.

Here, the "developed state" described above refers to a state obtained by: the diaper 100 is developed in a plane by unfastening the joining of both ends of the abdomen-side waistline portion (the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 described later) and both ends of the back-side waistline portion (the back-side waistline portion 140 described later) in the width direction (right-left direction) of the diaper 100, separating the abdomen-side waistline portion and the back-side waistline portion, and opening the diaper 100 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The "extended state" of the diaper 100 refers to a state in which the entire diaper 100 (the entire product) is extended without wrinkles, specifically, until the dimensions of the respective members constituting the diaper 100 (for example, the absorbent main body 110, the

waist portions

130 and 140, and the like described later) match or are close to the dimensions of the individual members.

The diaper 100 has a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-rear direction intersecting each other in a pants-type state shown in fig. 7. The diaper 100 is a so-called three-piece type disposable diaper, and includes an absorbent main body 110 which is placed in contact with the crotch of a wearer to absorb a liquid such as an excretory fluid, an abdominal-side waistline portion 130 which covers the abdominal-side portion of the wearer, and a back-side waistline portion 140 which covers the back-side portion of the wearer.

In the developed state of fig. 8 and 9, the diaper 100 has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction intersecting each other. One side in the longitudinal direction in this expanded state is also referred to as "ventral side" or "anterior side", and the other side in the longitudinal direction is also referred to as "dorsal side" or "posterior side". The longitudinal direction in the developed state is a direction that coincides with the vertical direction in the pants-type state. As shown in fig. 10, the thickness direction is a direction in which materials constituting the diaper 100 are laminated. In the thickness direction, the side in contact with the wearer is the skin side, and the opposite side is the non-skin side.

In the developed state of fig. 8, the absorbent main body 110 is fixed in a straddling state between the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140 which are arranged substantially in parallel. Further, the plurality of elastic members 160 such as rubber bands are joined and fixed to the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140 in the left-right direction in a state of being stretched in the left-right direction, and thereby, a contraction force in the left-right direction is applied to each of the

waistline portions

130, 140. When the diaper 100 is worn, the absorbent body 110 is folded in two at the center portion C in the longitudinal direction thereof, and the abdominal-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140 facing each other are joined to each other at the left-right direction

side edge portions

130e and 140e, whereby the diaper 100 in a worn state in which the waistline opening HB and the pair of leg hole openings HL are formed as shown in fig. 7 is obtained.

As shown in fig. 10, the absorbent body 110 has an absorbent core 111 for absorbing liquid, a liquid-permeable top sheet 113 arranged to cover the absorbent core 111 from the skin side in the thickness direction, and a liquid-impermeable membrane 125 arranged to cover the absorbent core 111 from the non-skin side in the thickness direction. A nonwoven fabric 120 that serves as an outer package of the diaper 100 is provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 110. In the present embodiment, the nonwoven fabric 1 of the present embodiment is used as the nonwoven fabric 120 in order to improve the breathability of the diaper 100.

The absorbent core 111 is a member formed by laminating liquid-absorbent materials, and can absorb excrement such as urine. As the liquid-absorbent material, for example, liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers can be used. The absorbent core 111 may contain, for example, a super absorbent polymer as the liquid-absorbent particulate matter, or may contain a liquid-absorbent material other than the liquid-absorbent fibers and the liquid-absorbent particulate matter. The shape of the absorbent core 111 is not limited to the substantially rectangular shape in plan view as shown in fig. 8, and may be, for example, a substantially hourglass shape in plan view. In the diaper 100, the absorbent core 111 has a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet 112, but may not have a core wrap sheet.

The top sheet 113 is, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric having a planar size larger than that of the absorbent core 111. The film sheet 125 is a sheet-like member covering the absorbent core 111 from the non-skin side, and has a planar size larger than that of the absorbent core 111. Examples of the film 125 include a liquid-impermeable leakproof sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The nonwoven fabric 1 of the present embodiment, which is the nonwoven fabric 120 serving as the outer layer, is arranged on the non-skin side of the membrane sheet 125 in the thickness direction. Specifically, as shown in fig. 10, the nonwoven fabric 120(1) has a dimension in the left-right direction that is much larger than that of the film 125, that is, the nonwoven fabric 120(1) protrudes largely from both sides of the film 125 in the left-right direction to the left-right direction. Then, the nonwoven fabric 120(1) is used to form so-called three-dimensional gathers LSG and leg gathers LG.

The three-dimensional gathers LSG are leakage-proof wall portions provided standing up at each end in the left-right direction of the top sheet 113, while the leg gathers LG are leg stretch portions formed in the leg openings LH, LH of the diaper 100. To describe the formation of the three-dimensional gathers LSG and the leg gathers LG by the nonwoven fabric 120(1), first, as described above, the portions of the nonwoven fabric 120(1) that protrude largely from both sides in the left-right direction of the film sheet 125 toward the left-right direction outside are referred to as the protruding portions 120 bf. Then, the projecting portion 120bf is folded back toward the center side in the left-right direction with a position that becomes the end portion 110es in the left-right direction of the absorbent main body 110 as a folded-back position. The leg hole gathers LG are formed by fixing a leg hole elastic member 117 such as a rubber band to the vicinity of the folded-back position in the longitudinal direction while being stretched in the longitudinal direction.

The portion 120bg folded back to the center side in the left-right direction further extends to the center side in the left-right direction, and is joined to the end portion of the top sheet 113 at a position covering the end portion in the left-right direction. Further, a portion on the tip side in the left-right direction from the portion joined to the end portion can rise from the top sheet 113 as a free end portion LSGf. The LSG elastic member 118 such as a rubber band is fixed to the distal end portion of the free end portion LSGf in the longitudinal direction in a state of being elongated in the longitudinal direction. The free end portion LSGf is contracted in the longitudinal direction by the contraction force applied by the LSG elastic member 118 and rises from the top sheet 113, whereby the free end portion LSGf functions as a three-dimensional gather LSG.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the nonwoven fabric 120(1) of the present embodiment has an open region 105 having a plurality of openings 5 in a portion overlapping the film sheet 125 when viewed in the thickness direction, and has a non-open region 106 having no openings in a portion not overlapping the film sheet 125 when viewed in the thickness direction. By doing so, the portion where the film 125 exists exhibits excellent air permeability due to the presence of the openings 5, and leakage can be prevented by the film 125. In addition, the portion where the diaphragm 125 does not exist can be prevented from leaking by providing the non-perforated region 106.

As shown in fig. 9, the diaper 100 has a crotch portion 150 located between an abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and a back-side waistline portion 140, the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 being located at one end side in the longitudinal direction, and the back-side waistline portion 140 being located at the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The nonwoven fabric 120(1) has a crotch region 120c located in the crotch portion 150, the crotch region 120c has a leg gather LG1 (indicated by diagonal lines sloping downward to the right) including a plurality of elastic members 117 capable of stretching and contracting in the longitudinal direction, and the leg gather LG1 has a non-perforated region 106 in which no perforations are present.

The air permeability is improved by disposing the perforated regions 105 of the nonwoven fabric 120(1) in the crotch portion 150. Further, the leg gather LG1, which is likely to leak, is made to be the non-perforated region 106, so that leakage is less likely to occur.

Further, a printing sheet having design properties and a sheet member for reinforcement may be joined to a position on the non-skin side of the nonwoven fabric 120(1), but at least a part of the nonwoven fabric 120(1) is preferably disposed at a position on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 100. By being disposed at the most non-skin side, the apertures 5 of the nonwoven fabric 120(1) are easily visible, and the visibility of the apertures is improved.

Other embodiments are also possible

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above embodiments are for easy understanding of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Further, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the nonwoven fabric 1 is used for the absorbent article 100 has been described, but the laminate 3 may be used for the absorbent article 100. Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the non-skin side according to another embodiment. Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 100 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the skin side according to another embodiment. Here, as the sheet constituting the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140, the laminate 3 and another nonwoven fabric 4 (fig. 12) are used in a laminated state. Specifically, the nonwoven fabric 1 side of the laminate 3 is arranged to be the non-skin side, and the other nonwoven fabric 4 is arranged to be the skin side. In the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140, a plurality of elastic members 160 such as rubber bands arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction are bonded and fixed between the laminate 3 and the other nonwoven fabric 4 by a hot melt adhesive or the like in a state of being stretched in the horizontal direction. This gives a contraction force in the right-left direction to each of the

waist portions

130 and 140. The laminate 3 and the nonwoven fabric 4 may also be bonded to each other by applying a hot-melt adhesive or the like. Incidentally, examples of the application pattern used when the hot-melt adhesive is applied to the laminate 3 and the nonwoven fabric 4 include, but are not limited to, an Ω pattern, a spiral pattern, and the like. That is, other coating patterns may be used.

By disposing the laminate 3 in the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140 where the wearer is likely to sweat, the plurality of

holes

5 and 6 improve air permeability, and skin problems such as rash can be suppressed. Further, as shown in fig. 11, by not providing the opening 6 at a position overlapping the absorbent main body 110 when viewed in the thickness direction, it is possible to avoid a feeling of uneasiness that the liquid absorbed by the absorbent main body 110 leaks. Further, as shown in fig. 12, since no opening is present on the nonwoven fabric 4 side, the hot melt adhesive applied does not give a feeling of uneasy exposure, and the touch feeling can be improved.

In addition, when the laminate 3 is used in the abdomen-side waist portion 130 and the back-side waist portion 140 as described above, the nonwoven fabric 1 disposed on the non-skin-side surface has air permeability and softness, and therefore, evaporation of moisture to the outside can be promoted and the skin feel can be improved.

In the above-described embodiments, the pants-type disposable diaper 100 is illustrated as an example of the absorbent article, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a disposable diaper of a tape type may be used. Further, as the pants-type disposable diaper 100, a so-called three-sheet type diaper in which the absorbent body 110 is disposed between the abdomen-side waistline portion 130 and the back-side waistline portion 140 in the developed state is exemplified, but a so-called two-sheet type diaper in which the absorbent body is placed on the skin-side surface of the substantially hourglass-shaped outer sheet in the developed state may be exemplified.

Claims

1. A nonwoven fabric having a plurality of apertures, the nonwoven fabric characterized in that,

the nonwoven fabric comprises at least a 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, a 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer and an intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer arranged between the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer,

the average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is smaller than the average fiber diameter of each of the fibers constituting the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the fibers constituting the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer,

the plurality of openings are openings formed so as to penetrate the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer, the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer, and the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

2. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1,

the MFR of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is higher than the MFR of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the MFR of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer, and this MFR refers to the melt flow rate.

3. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 or 2,

an average fiber density of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer in an intermediate region between a certain opening of the plurality of openings and another opening adjacent to the certain opening is higher than an average fiber density of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer in the intermediate region and an average fiber density of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer in the intermediate region.

4. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1,

the nonwoven fabric has an average basis weight of 10g/m²Above and 20g/m²The following.

5. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1,

the average basis weight of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is lower than the average basis weight of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the average basis weight of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

6. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1,

the average thickness of the intermediate thermoplastic fiber layer is thinner than the average thickness of the 1 st thermoplastic fiber layer and the average thickness of the 2 nd thermoplastic fiber layer.

7. A laminate comprising:

the nonwoven fabric of claim 1; and

and a separate sheet member disposed so as to overlap the nonwoven fabric and having a plurality of openings.

8. The laminate according to claim 7,

some of the plurality of apertures of the nonwoven fabric overlap with one of the plurality of apertures of the other sheet member,

the edge adjacent to the certain opening and the edge adjacent to the one opening are joined to each other at least in part.

9. The laminate according to claim 8,

at least a portion of the certain opening overlaps with a non-opening region of the other sheet member having no opening.

10. The laminate according to claim 9,

the edge part adjacent to the certain opening and the non-opening area have non-joint parts which are not mutually jointed.

11. The laminate according to claim 9 or 10,

the certain opening has a larger aperture than one of the plurality of openings of the other sheet member,

the one opening is located inside the one opening in a plan view.

12. An absorbent article characterized in that the absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction which intersect each other in an unfolded state,

the absorbent article has:

the nonwoven fabric of claim 1; and

an absorbent body having an absorbent body for absorbing liquid and a liquid-impermeable film covering the absorbent body from a non-skin side in the thickness direction,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the nonwoven fabric is arranged on the non-skin side of the membrane sheet in the thickness direction,

the nonwoven fabric has an open region in which a plurality of openings are present in a portion overlapping the film sheet when viewed in the thickness direction, and has a non-open region in which no opening is present in a portion not overlapping the film sheet when viewed in the thickness direction.

13. The absorbent article of claim 12,

the absorbent article has an abdomen-side waist portion located at one end in the longitudinal direction, a back-side waist portion located at the other end in the longitudinal direction, and a crotch portion located between the abdomen-side waist portion and the back-side waist portion,

the nonwoven fabric has a crotch region located in the crotch part,

the crotch region has a leg gather portion provided with a plurality of elastic members capable of expanding and contracting in the longitudinal direction,

the leg gather has the non-apertured area.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 12 or 13,

at least a part of the nonwoven fabric is disposed at a position closest to a non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent article.

15. An absorbent article characterized in that the absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction which intersect each other in an unfolded state,

the absorbent article has:

the laminate of claim 7; and

an absorbent body for absorbing liquid.