DE112018003388T5 - Air-through fleece for absorbent articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A hot air-bonded or air-through fleece for an absorbent article is provided, in which two or more fiber layers are laminated, which contain at least one fiber layer which contains thermoplastic fibers and a fiber mass section.

Description

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hot air bonded or “air-through” fleece for an absorbent article.

Background of the Invention

An air-through fleece is formed by mutually thermally fusing fiber crossing points by hot air blowing with the aid of a hot air consolidation or air-through method, as a result of which the air-through fleece can be thickened relatively easily to a material with an excellent texture. Such air-through nonwovens are often used as components of absorbent articles. In the past, there have been various proposals for such an air-through fleece for use in absorbent articles.

For example, with a view to achieving an aesthetic pattern effect without affecting the texture, patent citation 1 describes an air-through fleece in which the difference between the thickness at a point with a small fiber mass and the thickness at a point without a small fiber mass below a pressure of 7.64 kPa is set to a maximum of 1 mm. The application of calendering to a preliminary nonwoven obtained by hot air blowing treatment is described as a method for producing this air-through nonwoven. Patent citation 2 describes an absorbent article in which a nonwoven with thermoplastic synthetic fibers and organic cotton fibers is incorporated. In this fleece, the organic cotton fibers are arranged so that they form several masses of fibers. The organic cotton fibers are held in the fleece by swirling the fibers without thermal fusion.

With a view to improving the nonwoven texture, Patent Citation 3 proposes to apply pressure treatment to a finished nonwoven between a pair of rollers with a specific linear pressure and temperature.

Patent citation 4 describes a processing method in which a wound fiber web is unwound in roll form and hot air is blown using an air-through method in order to allow calendering to act on it with a specific linear pressure.

List of quotes

Patent literature

• Patent quote 1: JP-A-2013-151774 ("JP-A" means unexamined published Japanese patent application)
• Patent quote 2: JP-A-2017-202265
• Patent quote 3: JP-A-60-126365
• Patent quote 4: JP-A-2006-299480

Summary of the invention

The invention provides an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article in which two or more fiber layers are laminated that contain at least one fiber layer that contains thermoplastic fibers and a fiber mass section.

• einen Öffnungsschritt, in dem mehrfache Öffnungsbehandlungen auf thermoplastische Fasern angewendet werden, um einen Flor zu bilden;
• einen Schritt, in dem mehrere im Öffnungsschritt erhaltene einschichtige Flore laminiert werden, um einen laminierten Flor zu bilden, und eine Air-Through-Bearbeitung durch Heißluft auf den laminierten Flor angewendet wird, um ein Air-Through-Vlies zu erhalten; und
• einen Kalandrierschritt, in dem Kalandrieren auf eine oder mehrere Bahnen, die aus dem einschichtigen Flor, dem laminierten Flor und dem Air-Through-Vlies ausgewählt sind, mit Hilfe eines Paars Kalanderwalzen angewendet wird.

The invention further provides a method for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article, which contains:

• an opening step in which multiple opening treatments are applied to thermoplastic fibers to form a pile;
• a step in which a plurality of single-layer sheets obtained in the opening step are laminated to form a laminated pile, and air-through processing by hot air is applied to the laminated pile to obtain an air-through mat; and
• a calendering step in which calendering is applied to one or more webs selected from the single layer pile, the laminated pile and the air-through nonwoven with the aid of a pair of calender rolls.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure list

• 1 is a cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating a preferred embodiment of an air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article.
• 2nd is a schematic configuration illustration of a preferred embodiment of a method for producing a nonwoven according to the invention and a manufacturing device therefor.
• 3rd FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of another preferred embodiment of a heat treatment unit for performing an air-through step in this embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

The invention relates to a hot air-bonded or air-through fleece for an absorbent article, which is formed into a material with an excellent voluminous texture and soft texture and is provided with a pattern.

In a manufacturing step of the air-through fleece, when fibers are opened to form a pile, the fibers are swirled with one another, occasionally resulting in fiber masses being formed locally. It is particularly interesting that these fiber masses appear proportionately easier with decreasing fiber diameter. If this fiber mass is directly subjected to an air-through processing step using hot air, the fiber mass hardens through thermal fusion of the fibers.

As also in the patent citations previously discussed 1 , 3rd and 4th In the past, the practice has been to calender a finished nonwoven to reduce hardness. However, calendering is a treatment in which the air-through non-woven is inserted between a pair of rollers to apply pressure thereon, and after pressure is applied, the air-through non-woven is thinner, so the bulky nature is in need of improvement. Also when hot air treatment is carried out after calendering the fleece as described in the patent citations described above 1 , 3rd and 4th there is a limit for the thickness restoration of the once flattened nonwoven, so that this aspect is also in need of improvement. In this regard, the aforementioned patent quotation suggests 3rd nothing to restore the voluminous nature.

In an air-through fleece for absorbent articles, it is strongly sought to realize both satisfactory voluminous texture and soft texture in order to produce a superior material in terms of absorption and cushioning properties and the like. to achieve the absorbent article.

In contrast, the air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is formed into a material which has an excellent voluminous texture and soft texture and is provided with a pattern. In addition, according to a manufacturing method of the invention, the aforementioned air-through non-woven fabric can be manufactured for an absorbent article with a high degree of perfection.

The air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is described below with reference to the drawings.

The air-through nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article of the present invention can be applied to various absorbent articles worn on a body to absorb a body fluid, and can be applied to various components, e.g. B. a topsheet in the absorbent article.

Unless otherwise specified, in the invention, one side in contact with a human body is referred to as a skin surface side, skin contact surface side or surface side, and an opposite side is referred to as a non-skin surface side, non-skin contact surface side or rear surface side.

In the invention, “hot-air-bonded nonwoven” or “air-through nonwoven” denotes a material in which thermally fusible fibers are thermally fused and integrated at intersection points. A hot air bonding or air-through process is used to manufacture this fleece. An air-through process is a process in which hot air is blown onto a fiber web containing thermally fusible fibers by a continuous process in order to fuse the crossing points between the webs, thereby forming the fleece.

The air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is an air-through fleece in which two or more fiber layers are laminated. The fiber layers to be laminated can be in two layers or in three or more layers. The air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article has two or more layers, whereby the air-through fleece can be formed into a more voluminous fleece in addition to production restrictions, compared to the case in which the fleece is formed by one layer .

As a preferred embodiment of the air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article shows 1 an air-through fleece 10th for an absorbent article in which two fiber layers (one fiber layer 1 and a layer of fibers 2nd ) are laminated (hereinafter simply fleece 10th called). The fiber layer 1 and the fiber layer 2nd have thermally fusible fibers, contact surfaces of both layers being connected to one another over an entire surface by fusing the thermally fusible fibers. Hence the fleece 10th no such area in which the fiber layer 1 and the fiber layer 2nd are separated from each other. That is, the fleece 10th is a web body in which the two layers described above are integrated.

The nonwoven of the invention can have various surface shapes, e.g. B. an uneven surface. However, as a fleece 10th according to this embodiment 1 both surfaces 10A and 10B (a surface of the fiber layer 1 and a surface of the fiber layer 2nd ) preferably a flat shape. The fleece 10th is a laminate of several layers of fibers, and both surfaces have a flat shape, which means that both surface smoothness and a cushioning feel are achieved in an excellent material. “Flat shape” means a shape in which a difference in thickness between a concave section and a convex section on a surface of the nonwoven lies within 1 mm. In particular, the nonwoven fabric is cut in the thickness direction by means of a cutting knife to take a photo of a cross section by means of a microscope (VHX-900, manufactured by Keyence Corporation). In the photo, a thickness of a part in which an upper side of the nonwoven lies uppermost, ie the convex section, and a thickness of a part in which the upper side of the nonwoven lies lowest, ie the concave section, are measured by this difference in thickness to calculate, whereby the thickness difference can be determined. An average of three points is used as the difference in thickness.

The fleece 10th has at least one layer of fibers 8th that have a fiber mass section 7 contains. The following is the fiber mass section 7 containing fiber layer 8th as a fiber mass layer 8th designated. In 1 is the fiber mass layer 8th in the fiber layer 1 arranged.

In the invention, “fiber mass section” denotes a part of a knot (mass of fibers) which is formed by swirling the fibers in the fiber layer. The fiber mass section can be recognized as a mass (granular shape) in which the density of the fibers is increased compared to a peripheral part in the same fiber layer and the concentration (brightness) of the color (mainly white) of the fibers is visually enhanced compared to the peripheral part. A shape of the fiber mass portion is not particularly limited. In the invention, it is preferred that the fiber mass section is formed in a flattened form, in which the fibers are flattened in the thickness direction of the fleece when observing the cross section of the fleece in the thickness direction and a surface of the fiber mass section on one side of a fleece surface has a smooth structure. As a result, the surface of the nonwoven is smoothed, which corresponds to a position at which the fiber mass section 7 is present, which changes the surface texture of the fleece 10th feels high quality.

With the “fiber mass layer 8th “Is a layer that contains one or more fiber mass sections. The fiber mass layer 8th is not necessarily with the fiber mass section 7 filled and is with the fiber mass section 7 preferably arranged dispersed.

The fiber mass layer 8th is not limited to the case where the fiber mass layer 8th only in the fiber layer 1 according to 1 is present and can be in the fiber layer 2nd instead of the fiber layer 1 or be present in both layers. From the point of view of the soft texture is the fiber mass layer 8th preferably present in one of the layers. From the point of view of enhancing a visual effect through the pattern of the fiber mass section 7 in plan or plan view of the fleece 10th are the fiber mass layers 8th preferably present in both layers. This is through the fiber mass section 7 formed patterns not only in the plane direction of the fleece 10th , but also visible dispersed in the thickness direction thereof, and since the pattern is present on a lower layer side, one considers a concentration of the fiber mass section visible in the thickness direction 7 so that it changes in a thinner way, allowing a deeper pattern to be viewed. Are the fiber mass layers 8th in both layers of the fiber layer 1 and the fiber layer 2nd the fiber mass section is present 7 in the fiber layer 1 and the fiber mass section 7 in the fiber layer 2nd preferably arranged so that they do not overlap in the thickness direction. In addition, the fiber mass layer 8th all or part of the fiber layer (fiber layer 1 or fiber layer 2nd ) be arranged in which the fiber mass layer 8th is arranged.

As mentioned before, the fleece is 10th by fusing and integrating the fibers together in a layer interface in the entire area in which the fiber layer 1 and the fiber layer 2nd stay in contact. Even if therefore the fleece 10th the fiber mass layer 8th contains the fiber mass section 7 contains, the fleece feels 10th overall, in which several fiber layers are integrated in the layer interface as a whole, as a material with excellent voluminous texture and soft texture thick. Then in the plane view of the fleece 10th the fleece 10th formed to the material that is provided with the pattern that is caused by a variable color concentration difference between parts with and without the fiber mass section. The fleece 10th is formed into an aesthetically pleasing material by the pattern that passes through this fiber mass section 7 is formed, in particular the pattern formed by the fiber mass section 7 is formed in which the thickness is reduced.

Preferably the fleece has 10th In this embodiment, fine fibers with a fiber diameter of at least 1 dtex and at most 2.2 dtex and thick fibers with a larger fiber diameter than the fine fibers. This can ensure both an improvement in the soft texture of the nonwoven fabric by the fine fibers and an improvement in the voluminous nature of the thick fibers. In addition, the fleece has 10th the thick fibers, which makes the fleece 10th can also contribute to improving the thickness recoverability of the nonwoven after pressure, which is preferred.

In addition, the fiber mass layer shows 8th preferably the fine fibers described above. In this case, the fine fibers described above can be in the fiber mass section 7 may be included or may be in a portion other than the bulk fiber section 7 be included. This is the hardness around the fiber mass section 7 that you get when you touch the fleece 10th feels relaxed by the presence of the fine fibers described above. In this case it is in the fleece 10th the fiber layer 1 with the fiber mass layer having the previously described fine fibers 8th preferably arranged on the skin contact surface side in the absorbent article.

From the point of view of improving the soft texture of the fleece 10th The fiber diameter of the fine fibers described above is more preferably at most 2 dtex and even more preferably at most 1.5 dtex. From the point of view of spinnability in a card in nonwoven production, the fiber diameter of the fine fibers described above is more preferably at least 1 dtex and even more preferably at least 1.2 dtex. In particular, the fiber diameter of the fine fibers is preferably at least 1 dtex and at most 2 dtex and more preferably at least 1.2 dtex and at most 1.5 dtex.

From the point of view of improving the soft texture of the fleece 10th is a content of the fine fibers described above in the fiber mass layer 8th based on a mass fraction preferably at least 50 mass%, more preferably at least 80 mass% and even more preferably 100 mass%.

The fleece 10th this embodiment preferably has at least one fiber layer 9 that have no fiber mass section 7 contains (hereinafter non-fibrous mass layer 9 called), in addition to the aforementioned fiber mass layer 8th . For example, according to 1 to specific examples of an aspect in which a fiber layer 1 a layer of fiber mass 8th and a layer of fibers 2nd a non-fibrous mass layer 9 is.

Has the fleece 10th the fiber mass layer 8th and the non-fibrous mass layer 9 , it is preferred that the nonwoven 10th thick fibers with a fiber diameter of over 2.2 dtex and a maximum of 7 dtex as well as fine fibers with a smaller fiber diameter than the thick fibers. The fiber diameter of the fine fibers is preferably in the aforementioned range. This can ensure both the improvement of the soft texture of the nonwoven fabric by the fine fibers and the improvement of the voluminous nature of the thick fibers, thereby making the nonwoven fabric 10th can also contribute to improving the thickness recoverability of the nonwoven after pressure, which is preferred.

The non-fibrous mass layer preferably has 9 the previously described thick fibers. The non-fiber mass layer 9 has the previously described thick fibers, whereby such a configuration improves the voluminous nature and the fleece 10th with the upholstery feeling. In this case it is in the fleece 10th the fiber layer 2nd with the non-fibrous mass layer having the thick fibers 9 preferably arranged to a non-skin contact surface side in the absorbent article.

From the point of view of improving the voluminous nature and the compressibility of the fleece 10th The fiber diameter of the thick fibers described above is more preferably above 2.2 dtex and even more preferably at least 4.4 dtex. From the point of view of a (tactile) feeling from a fiber mass layer side, the fiber diameter of the previously described thick fibers is more preferably at most 5.5 dtex and even more preferably at most 5 dtex. In particular, the fiber diameter of the thick fibers is preferably above 2.2 dtex and at most 5.5 dtex and more preferably at least 4.4 dtex and at most 5 dtex.

From the point of view of improving the voluminous nature and compressibility of the fleece 10th is a content of the thick fibers described above in the non-fibrous mass layer 9 based on a mass fraction preferably at least 50 mass%, more preferably at least 80 mass% and even more preferably 100 mass%.

From the point of view of improving the soft texture of the fleece 10th is a content of the thick fibers described above in the fiber mass layer 8th based on a mass fraction, preferably at most 50% by mass, more preferably at most 30% by mass and even more preferably at most 10% by mass.
Method for measuring the fiber diameter of fine fibers and thick fibers, method for measuring the content of fine fibers in the fiber mass layer 8th and methods for measuring the content of the thick fibers in the non-fibrous mass layer 9

From any point on the nonwoven fabric, three spots on a side of the fiber mass layer and a surface side of the non-fiber mass layer are magnified and observed 100 times with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (JCM-5100, manufactured by JEOL Ltd.).
Fiber diameter: A fiber diameter is measured in an area of 1 mm ² . The fiber diameter is measured at 20 points for each different fiber per location, and an average is taken as each fiber diameter. In addition, a range of fluctuations in the fiber diameter in the non-woven fabric for an absorbent article usually has a slight difference, which is difficult to detect even by observation using the scanning electron microscope described above. For example, the range of fluctuation in fiber diameter is generally about 6% according to the fiber specification. If the value obtained by measuring the diameter at 20 points and averaging the data as described above is used, the value can be taken as the basis for each fiber diameter.
Percentage of fibers: An OHP film is placed on a previously enlarged photo within 1 mm ² and observed, after which a layer is colored black for each fiber diameter. Image analysis processing is carried out on this track with the aid of image analysis software (NexusNewCube). Digitization processing is performed to determine an area. Each fiber area is measured and a percentage obtained is taken as the percentage of each fiber.

Procedure for taking samples

When a component to be measured (for example, a surface material) is taken out from an absorbent article to perform an evaluation measurement in the measurement described above, a sample is obtained by the following method. That is, if the component is fixed to another component by an adhesive or the like, the adhesive is cooled with liquid nitrogen to make it easier to peel off the component. If the component is fixed to another component by fusing or the like, the component is pulled off manually, or a fusing part is cut with a cutting knife or the like in order to pull the component off and carry out the measurement. This method is also used in other measuring methods.

In the fleece 10th is an average fiber diameter in the non-fiber mass layer 9 preferably larger than an average fiber diameter in the fiber mass layer 8th . The fiber mass layer thus serves 8th as a layer to improve the soft texture of the fleece 10th , and the non-fibrous mass layer 9 serves as a layer to improve the voluminous nature and thickness recoverability of the fleece 10th . As a result, the fiber mass layer can 8th and the non-fibrous mass layer 9 a function in a layer unit for the fleece 10th share, and also both layers can work together in the thickness direction to give the (tactile) feel of the fleece 10th to continue to improve overall. In this regard, it is preferred that the nonwoven 10th has the above-described fine fibers and the above-described thick fibers and the bulk fiber layer 8th has the previously described fine fibers, since the previously described effect can be demonstrated more clearly. From the same point of view, it is more preferred that the non-fibrous mass layer 9 has the thick fibers described above.

From the point of view of the division of functions in the fleece described above, there is a difference V3 (= V1 - V2) between the average fiber diameter V1 the non-fibrous mass layer 9 and the average fiber diameter V2 the fiber mass layer 8th preferably over 0 dtex, more preferably at least 2.2 dtex and even more preferably at least 3 dtex. From the same point of view as described above, the difference continues to be V3 preferably at most 5.6 dtex, more preferably at most 4 dtex and even more preferably at most 3.5 dtex. In particular, the difference is V3 preferably over 0 dtex and at most 5.6 dtex, more preferably at least 2.2 dtex and at most 4 dtex and even more preferably at least 3 dtex and at most 3.5 dtex.

Method for measuring the average fiber diameter of the fiber mass layer 8th and the non-fibrous mass layer 9

The fiber diameters and the content proportions, which are based on the previously described “method for measuring the fiber diameter of the fine fibers and thick fibers”, “method for measuring the content of fine fibers in the fiber mass layer 8” and “method for measuring the content of the thick ones Fibers determined in the non-fibrous mass layer 9 “are multiplied and a sum of the resulting values is used as the mean fiber diameter of each layer.

In the fleece 10th is a basis weight in the non-fiber mass layer 9 preferably greater than a basis weight in the fiber mass layer 8th . This will make the non-fibrous mass layer 9 more voluminous than the fiber mass layer 8th , and the hardness through the fiber mass section 7 becomes more difficult to feel. The voluminous nature of the non-fibrous mass layer 9 acts so that it has the padding properties of the fleece 10th overall increased, causing stress on the skin by the fiber mass section 7 when the fiber mass layer is flattened 8th can be further reduced in the thickness direction to further improve a good feeling. It can also clearly show the previously described effect that, together with this difference in basis weight, the fleece 10th has the above-described fine fibers and the above-described thick fibers and the bulk fiber layer 8th has the above-described fine fibers, which is why such a case is preferred. From the same point of view, it is more preferred that the non-fibrous mass layer 9 has the thick fibers described above. It is preferred that the fleece 10th a larger average fiber diameter in the non-fiber mass layer than in the fiber mass layer 8th Has.

From the point of view of the upholstery properties and the improvement of the good feeling of the previously described fleece, there is a difference overall Y3 (= Y1 - Y2) between the basis weight Y1 the non-fibrous mass layer 9 and the basis weight Y2 the fiber mass layer 8th preferably over 0 g / m ² , more preferably at least 3 g / m ² and even more preferably at least 5 g / m ² . From the point of view of improving the good feeling, the difference is Y3 preferably at most 20 g / m ² , more preferably at most 15 g / m ² and even more preferably at most 10 g / m ² . In particular, the difference is Y3 preferably over 0 g / m ² and at most 20 g / m ² , more preferably at least 3 g / m ² and at most 15 g / m ² and even more preferably at least 5 g / m ² and at most 10 g / m ² .

Method for measuring the basis weight of the fiber mass layer 8th and the non-fibrous mass layer 9

1) A value that is obtained by converting the mass of the fleece to be measured into a value per 1 m ² is taken as the basis weight.

The mass (w) of the fleece to be measured is measured, after which a value calculated by the following equation is used as the total basis weight (W). W = 1000000 / LMD / LCD) w = 25w.

LMD: machine direction length of the fleece to be measured 250 mm

LCD: transverse direction length of the fleece to be measured 160 mm

If a sample of the size described above cannot be taken from a product when taking a sample, the sample is cut in the area where the sample can be taken, and the data obtained is converted into a value per 1 m ² .

2) Basis weight of each layer: Each layer of the fleece to be measured is carefully peeled off, and a value obtained by converting the mass into a value per 1 m ² is used as the basis weight of each layer.

[Unit: number of digits] g / m ² : A value at a second decimal place is rounded off to calculate a value at a first decimal place.

[Number of measurements]: The measurement is made at three points, and an average of them is taken as the basis weight.

From the point of view of the formation of a material which is provided with an excellent voluminous texture and soft texture as well as the good feeling in a structure in which two or more layers of fibers are laminated and integrated, the basis weight of the nonwoven is 10th in total preferably at least 15 g / m ² , more preferably at least 18 g / m ² and even more preferably at least 20 g / m ² . From the point of view of spinnability in nonwoven production, the basis weight of the nonwoven is 10th in total preferably at most 40 g / m ² , more preferably at most 30 g / m ² and even more preferably at most 25 g / m ² . In particular, the basis weight of the fleece is 10th in total preferably at least 15 g / m ² and at most 40 g / m ² , more preferably at least 18 g / m ² and at most 30 g / m ² and even more preferably at least 20 g / m ² and at most 25 g / m ² . This is the basis weight of the fleece 10th overall according to the aforementioned “method for measuring the basis weight of the fiber mass layer 8th and the non-fiber mass layer 9 "measured.

With regard to such a fleece 10th a thickness of the fleece 10th in the measurement under a pressure of 7.64 kPa at a position where the fiber mass section 7 is arranged as T1 based on and a thickness of the fleece 10th in the measurement under the same pressure at a position where there is no fiber mass section 7 is arranged as T2 is used as the basis, with a smaller difference T3 the thickness as defined by the equation T3 = T1 - T2 through the fiber mass section 7 caused hardness less noticeable. As a result, the upholstery feel accompanied by the voluminous nature that is obtained by laminating multiple layers of fibers is easy to feel, and the soft texture is easily felt. From this point of view, the difference in thickness is T3 preferably at most 0.4 mm, more preferably at most 0.3 mm, even more preferably at most 0.2 mm and most preferably 0 (zero) mm.

Here, “the position at which the fiber mass section is arranged” designates that position at which the presence of the fiber mass section 7 on the surface in a layered view with a layered view of a surface on a pressure application side between an upper and rear side of the fleece 10th can be visually demonstrated (hereinafter, the term has the same meaning herein). “The position at which no fiber mass section is arranged” means the position at which the presence of the fiber mass section is present 7 cannot be visually demonstrated on the surface in the plane view described above (hereinafter the term has the same meaning).

Method for measuring the thickness of the fleece under 7.64 kPa pressure

A mechanical dial indicator type thickness gauge (JIS B7503 (1997), UPRIGHT DIAL GAUGE, manufactured by PEACOCK, under a pressure of 7.64 kPa, measuring head tip: φ5 mm flat washer) is used, thereby reducing the thickness T1 is measured at the position at which the fiber mass section is arranged in the nonwoven and the thickness T2 is measured at the position where no fiber mass section is arranged in the fleece in order to determine the difference in thickness in the definition by the equation T3 = T1 - T2. The measurement takes place at at least five points each T1 and T2 . After that, an average of T1 and an average of T2 is calculated, and a difference between them is called T3 based on. In addition, a load of 7.64 kPa is a measurement condition that is set to clarify the presence of the fiber mass section.

The soft texture of the fleece 10th is expressed in terms of a value of an average coefficient of friction, and a smaller value means that the nonwoven 10th has a higher quality texture. Generally, the value of the average coefficient of friction in a part where there is no fiber mass section 7 is arranged smaller than in a part in which the fiber mass section 7 is arranged. However, are in the fleece 10th In this embodiment, a plurality of fiber layers were laminated and integrated in the thickness direction, whereby the average coefficient of friction is reduced at the position at which the fiber mass section 7 is arranged. From the point of view of maintaining the soft texture, there is an average coefficient of friction ( Q1 ) at the position where the fiber mass section 7 of the fleece 10th is arranged, preferably at most 2.5, more preferably at most 2.4 and even more preferably at most 2.3 and practically at least 1.6. In particular, the average coefficient of friction is ( Q1 ) at the position where the fiber mass section 7 of the fleece 10th is arranged, preferably at least 1.6 and at most 2.5, more preferably at least 1.6 and at most 2.4 and even more preferably at least 1.6 and at most 2.3.

From the point of view of maintaining the soft texture, there is a difference Q3 (= Q1 - Q2) between the average coefficient of friction Q1 at the position where the fiber mass section 7 of the fleece 10th is arranged, and an average coefficient of friction Q2 at the position where there is no fiber mass section 7 of the fleece 10th is arranged, preferably at most 0.7, more preferably at most 0.5, even more preferably at most 0.32, particularly preferably at most 0.3 and most preferably 0 (zero).

Method for measuring the average coefficient of friction

The fleece to be measured is cut into a square with a side length of 15 cm in order to obtain MIU values on a measuring surface at a position where the fiber mass section is arranged and at a position where no fiber mass section is arranged under the conditions of SENS: 2 × 5 and a load of 4.9 kPa using a surface tester KES-FB4 manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd. The measurement is made at at least five points, each in two directions that are perpendicular to each other (usually an MD direction and a CD direction), and averages of these are taken as MIU values. The MIU value is a value of the average coefficient of friction, a larger value is rated so that the surface is rougher and the feel is worse, and a smaller value is rated so that the surface is smoother and the feel is better.

The fiber mass layer mentioned above 8th is preferably an outermost layer of the fleece 10th . In this case, the fiber mass layer 8th in the case where the fiber mass layer 8th only on one surface of the top and back of the fleece 10th is present, or in the case where the fiber mass layer is on the surfaces of both the top and the back of the nonwoven 10th is available. The fiber mass layer 8th is the layer on the outermost layer of the fleece 10th , which maximizes a visual effect.

From the point of view of maintaining the soft texture of the fleece 10th is the number of in the fleece 10th arranged fiber mass sections 7 preferably at most 50, more preferably at most 40 and even more preferably at most 30th based on an average for each area of 10 cm ² in a plan view of the top and back of the fleece 10th (Plane view in a state in which respective fiber layers are laminated). On the other hand, from the viewpoint of providing the pattern, the number of in the fleece is 10th arranged fiber mass sections 7 preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 10 and even more preferably at least 20 based on the average for each area of 10 cm ² in a plan view of the top and back of the fleece 10th (Layer view in the state in which the respective fiber layers are laminated). In particular, the number of fiber mass sections is 7 preferably at least 5 and at most 50 , more preferably at least 10th and at most 40, and more preferably at least 20th and at most 30th based on an average for each area of 10 cm ² in a plan view of the top and back of the fleece 10th (Plane view in a state in which respective fiber layers are laminated).

From the point of view of reducing the possibility of contact between the skin and the fiber mass section 7 between the laminated fiber layers is the number of fiber mass sections 7 in the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side of the absorbent article, preferably at most 30, more preferably at most 20th and even more preferably at most 10th based on an average for each area of 10 cm ² in a plan view of the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side. The number of fiber mass sections 7 in the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side of the absorption article is preferably at least 1. In particular, the number of fiber mass sections is 7 at least in the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side of the absorption article 1 and at most 30th , more preferred at least 1 and at most 20th and even more preferably at least 1 and at most 10th based on an average for each area of 10 cm ² in a plan view of the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side.

From the point of view of forming the deep pattern between two laminated layers, the number of fiber mass sections is 7 which are arranged in the fiber layer of the absorbent article serving as the non-skin surface side, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 8 and even more preferably at least 15 based on an average for each area of 10 cm ² in a plan view of the fiber layer serving as the non-skin surface side.

From the point of view of maintaining the soft texture of the fleece 10th is a size (area) of a single fiber mass section 7 in plan view of the fleece 10th preferably at most 10 mm ² , more preferably at most 8 mm ² and even more preferably at most 6 mm ² . On the other hand, from the viewpoint of providing the pattern, the size of a single fiber mass section is 7 in plan view of the fleece 10th preferably at least 1 mm ² , more preferably at least 2.5 mm ² and even more preferably at least 4 mm ² . In particular, the size (area) of an individual fiber mass section is 7 in plan view of the fleece 10th preferably at least 1 mm ² and at most 10 mm ² , more preferably at least 2.5 mm ² and at most 8 mm ² and even more preferably at least 4 mm ² and at most 6 mm ² .

The size of the fiber mass section 7 , which is arranged in the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side of the absorbent article, is a plan view of the fleece 10th preferably at most 9 mm ² , more preferably at most 7 mm ² and even more preferably at most 5 mm ² .

From the point of view of the formation of the deep pattern, the size of the fiber mass section is between the two laminated layers 7 , which is arranged in the fiber layer serving as the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article, in a plan view of the fleece 10th preferably at least 2 mm ² , more preferably at least 3 mm ² and even more preferably at least 5 mm ² .

From the point of view of maintaining the soft texture of the fleece 10th is a size (thickness) of the individual fiber mass section 7 in the direction of the thickness of the fleece 10th preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 40% and even more preferably at most 30% based on a proportion of the thickness of the nonwoven 10th . On the other hand, from the point of view of feeling, the size (thickness) of the individual fiber mass section 7 in the direction of the thickness of the fleece 10th preferably as small as possible in the size range above 0% based on the proportion of the thickness of the fleece 10th . In particular, the size (thickness) of the individual fiber mass section is 7 in the direction of the thickness of the fleece 10th preferably above 0% and at most 50%, more preferably above 0% and at most 40% and even more preferably above 0% and at most 30% based on a proportion of the thickness of the nonwoven 10th .

From the point of view of easing the skin contact with the fiber mass section 7 perceived hardness by several laminated and integrated fiber layers between the two laminated layers is the size of the fiber mass section 7 , which is arranged in the fiber layer serving as the skin surface side of the absorbent article, in the thickness direction of the fleece 10th preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 40% and even more preferably at most 30% based on the proportion of the thickness of the fleece 10th .

From the same point of view as described above, the size (thickness) of the individual fiber mass section is 7 in the direction of the thickness of the fleece 10th preferably at most 1 mm, more preferably at most 0.8 mm and even more preferably at most 0.5 mm and is preferably as small as possible in the size range above 0 mm. In particular, the size (thickness) of the individual fiber mass section is 7 in the direction of the thickness of the fleece 10th preferably over 0 mm and at most 1 mm, more preferably over 0 mm and at most 0.8 mm and even more preferably over 0 mm and at most 0.5 mm. Method for measuring the number of fiber mass sections, the area and the thickness

From an observation target surface of a fleece cut into a square with a side length of 10 cm (for example a surface 10A in the fleece 10th ) A photo is taken using a microscope (VHX-900 manufactured by Keyence Corporation). Data from this photo (jpeg) is subjected to image analysis processing using image analysis software (NexusNewCube). Digitization processing is performed to determine the number and area of the fiber mass sections. In addition, all of the bulk portions are cut in the thickness direction using the cutting knife, and cross-sections are observed using the microscope described above to measure a thickness of the nonwoven fabric and a thickness of the fiber bulk portion.

The hot-air-bonded or air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorption article is used as a component component of an absorption article. Examples of the absorbent article include various articles which are provided with a function for absorbing and retaining human fluid secretions, e.g. B. diapers, sanitary napkins, urine mats and panty liners.

The air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is used for various components of the absorbent article in accordance with its function and is incorporated into the absorbent article. For example, if the air-through fleece has liquid permeability, the air-through fleece is incorporated as a top sheet, and if the air-through fleece is water-repellent, the air-through fleece is incorporated as a side sheet. The air-through fleece is processed into a thinner and softer material and is used as an outer material to improve the texture on an outer side (clothing side) of the absorbent article, e.g. B. diapers, incorporated.

From the point of view of the better noticeability of the feel of the fleece with excellent voluminous texture and soft texture on the skin and the better visual recognition of the fleece pattern, it is preferred that the air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article in the outermost layer on the skin surface side of the absorbent article is arranged and the fiber mass layer 8th is arranged to the skin surface side. Examples include a top sheet and a side panel, and it is particularly preferred that the air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is arranged as a top sheet in the absorbent article.

A preferred embodiment of the method for producing the air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is described next. Here, the embodiment as a method for producing the nonwoven 10th described according to the aforementioned embodiment. However, the fiber layers to be laminated are not on two layers (the fiber layer 1 and the fiber layer 2nd ) and may be layers formed by laminating three or more layers of fibers.

The manufacturing process of this embodiment includes the following step 501 and step 502 .

step 501 : An opening step in which multiple opening treatments are applied to thermoplastic fibers to form a pile.

step 502 : A step in which a plurality of single-layer sheets obtained in the opening step are laminated to form a laminated pile, and hot-air hardening or air-through processing by hot air is applied to the laminated pile to form a hot-air hardened or air-through - Get fleece.

In addition, the manufacturing method of this embodiment includes the following step 503 .

step 503 : A calendering step in which calendering is applied to one or more webs selected from the single-layer pile, the laminated pile and the air-through fleece with the aid of a pair of calender rolls.

The step 503 is performed in one or more places selected from: after the step 501 and before the step 502 ; on the way of the step 502 ; and after the step 502 .

2nd shows a manufacturing device 100 that are in the process of making the nonwoven 10th this embodiment is preferably used. The manufacturing device has from upstream to downstream 100 via opening units 101 and 102 for fiber materials that serve as raw materials for the nonwoven, carding units 103 and 104 to form fiber pile, a laminated pile forming unit 105 a pile calender unit for conveying the single-layer piles which have been carded and obtained in order to laminate the individual pile layers 106 for performing a pressure application treatment on the laminated pile and a heat treatment unit (hot air consolidation or air-through processing unit) 107 .

In the manufacturing device 100 becomes the previously described step 501 in the opening units 101 and 102 as well as the carding units 103 and 104 carried out. The step described above 502 is in the laminated pile forming unit 105 and the heat treatment unit 107 carried out.

In the manufacturing device 100 becomes the previously described step 503 in the pile calendering unit 106 carried out. The pile calender unit 106 is between the laminated pore forming unit 105 and the heat treatment unit 107 arranged, and the step described above 503 is used as pile calendering for the laminated pile on the way of the previously described step 502 carried out.

Each of the opening units 101 and 102 has a device for opening the thermoplastic fibers, which are used as raw materials of the fiber layers 1 and 2nd serve to the resulting material of each of the next carding units 103 and 104 feed. When using the fine fibers and the thick fibers each having the aforementioned specific fiber diameter, the opening is preferably carried out in a split manner between the fine fibers and the thick fibers. 2nd shows that raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71 into the opening unit 101 abandoned and opened (arrow 171 ) and raw material fibers (thick fibers) 72 into the opening unit 102 abandoned and opened (arrow 172 ).

As raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71 and raw material fibers (thick fibers) 72 various thermoplastic fibers can be used, which are used for the air-through fleece. Examples include bicomponent fibers with a core-sheath structure in which a melting point in a resin component of the sheath is lower than in a resin component of the core.

In the carding units 103 and 104 will be in each of the opening units 101 and 102 opened fibers (arrows 173 and 174 ) to single-layer flore 81 and 82 to build. In particular, an aggregate in the opening units 101 and 102 open fibers are combed and the resulting fibers are opened further to form a web-like pile. In the carding unit 103 the single-layer pile 81 based on raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71 formed, and in the carding unit 104 the single-layer pile 82 based on raw material fibers (thick fibers) 72 educated.

In the carding units 103 and 104 Various cards can be used without any special restrictions, which are usually used to produce the air-through fleece. Examples of this include a parallel card, a semi-non-woven card, a non-woven card and a machine in which a stacker and a drawing or non-woven section are combined with the parallel card. Examples of the card include a machine equipped with three types of rollers; that is, a master cylinder roll covered with a sawtooth-shaped metallic wire, a worker roll and a take-off roll. The fiber aggregate is combed between the master cylinder roll, the worker roll and the take-off roll, whereby the opening can be carried out. Multiple sets of worker rolls and take-off rolls are placed on the master cylinder roll, causing multiple opening treatments in each card in the carding units 103 and 104 can be carried out.

As previously described, multiple opening treatments are both in the opening units 101 and 102 as well as in the carding units 103 and 104 perform.

In the manufacturing process of this embodiment, the opening step (step 501 ) in which multiple opening treatments are applied to the thermoplastic fibers to the pile in the opening units 101 and 102 as well as in the carding units 103 and 104 to build.

Next, in the laminated pile forming unit 105 the one in the carding unit 104 formed single-layer pile 82 on the one in the carding unit 103 formed single-layer pile 81 laminated to a laminated pile 90 to build.

In particular, the single-layer pile 81 from the carding unit 103 along a discharge conveyor 103A led out and on a conveyor belt 105A placed. The conveyor belt 105A promotes the single-layer pile 81 downstream. The single-layer pile 82 becomes from the carding unit 104 along the discharge conveyor 104A led out and to the conveyor belt 105A led and on the single-layer pile 81 laminated during promotion. Thus, the laminated pile formed 90 along the conveyor belt 105A promoted further downstream. In the laminated pile 90 become parts of the single-layered floras 71 and 82 correspond, simply as a pile 81 and 82 designated.

In the laminated pile 90 is the pile 82 formed from the raw material fibers (thick fibers) 72, and the pile 81 is formed from the raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71. Therefore, an average fiber diameter of the pile 82 set so that it is larger than an average fiber diameter of the pile 81 is. From this configuration the pile 81 to the fiber mass layer 8th formed the fine fibers with the specific fiber diameter described above in the finished fleece 10th having. The pile 82 can as a non- Fiber mass layer 9 are used, the thick fibers with the specific fiber diameter described above in the finished fleece 10th having. An increase in basis weight in the non-fibrous mass layer 9 opposite the fiber mass layer 8th in the finished fleece 10th can be realized by the feed mass of the fibers from the opening unit 102 to the carding unit 104 with respect to the feed mass of the fibers from the opening unit 101 to the carding unit 103 is increased.

Thus, in the manufacturing process of this embodiment, it is preferable to use several kinds of fibers with different fiber diameters to form the laminated pile. In particular, it is more preferred to have the fiber diameter between the pile 82 and the pile 81 to differentiate.

In the fibers with different fiber diameters, it is preferred that fine fibers with a fiber diameter of at least 1 dtex and at most 2.2 dtex are used. In addition, it is more preferable that the fiber diameter of the fine fibers is in the aforementioned range of the fiber diameter.

In the pile calendering unit 106 becomes the pile calendering for inserting the conveyed laminated pile 90 between a pair of calender rolls 106A and 106B performed to apply pressure to the laminated pile 90 exercise (hereinafter simply referred to as "calendering"). This allows a pile surface to be smoothed in a part in which the fiber mass section 7 is present to the hardness of the fiber mass section 7 to reduce.

In particular, in the manufacturing process of this embodiment, calendering on the laminated pile 90 carried out before the formation of the fleece, which is why spots between the fibers are not yet fused and fixed and the fibers can be moved considerably. That is, when calendering this embodiment, there is no fear that detachment, breakage or the like of the fibers occurs in a fusion part between the fibers, and that in the fiber mass section 7 Collected fibers can preferably be separated or discretized (intervals between the fibers are expanded), while maintaining a good fiber condition and the fiber mass section 7 can be flattened satisfactorily. This has an effect on reducing the hardness of the fiber mass section 7 reinforced. When pressure is exerted in the thickness direction by calendering, the fibers become together in the fiber mass section 7 in both laminated floras 81 and 82 slightly discretized before they are formed into the nonwoven, and the hardness reducing effect of the bulk fiber section 7 is in the laminated pile 90 overall reinforced (hereinafter, the laminated pile subjected to the pile calendering is multiply laminated pile 95 called). In a sequence of manufacturing steps, the hot air consolidation or air-through processing mentioned later is carried out after the previously described calendering, as a result of which the air-through processing can be used as a restoration processing of the fleece thickness. That is, in this embodiment, the processing steps performed in this order are in restoring the thickness of the laminated pile 95 to a more voluminous material that is superior in soft texture and important when forming the pattern.

In the heat treatment unit 107 the air-through processing is carried out by hot air on the laminated pile 95 applied, which has been subjected to pile calendering.

In particular, the heat treatment unit 107 a hood 107A and a conveyor belt 107B , which is equipped with an air-permeable mesh and in the hood 107A circulates. In the hood 107A hot air is configured to go to the conveyor belt 107B is blown from above (arrow F according to 2nd ). In the conveyor belt 107B Blown hot air is configured to be blown through the air-permeable network described above. The laminated pile subjected to the pile calendering 95 becomes a heat treatment unit 107 by rotating the roller in the pile calendering unit 106 pushed out. In the heat treatment unit 107 the laminated pile 95 through the conveyor belt 107B in the hood 107A promoted. Hot air heated to a predetermined temperature becomes a laminated pile 95 in the hood 107A from above the laminated pile 95 (i.e. from above the pile 82 ) blown in the thickness direction by the continuous process. That means the air-through processing is on the laminated pile 95 applied. As a result, in the laminated pile 95 the intervals between the fibers in the fiber mass section 7 by the aforementioned pile calendering, and the mutual intersections of the fibers are fused by hot air blowing while maintaining a fiber state in which the hardness of the bulk fiber section 7 is relaxed. Thus, the hot air consolidated or air-through fleece 10th obtained for an absorbent article of this embodiment.

As described above, in the manufacturing process of this embodiment, the step described above becomes 502 and the step described above 503 on the single-layered floras 81 and 82 carried out, through the opening step in the step described above 501 through the laminated pile forming unit 105 , the pile calendering unit 106 and the heat treatment unit 107 be preserved. In particular, the step 502 through the laminated pile forming unit 105 and the heat treatment unit 107 and the calendering step (step 503 ) through the pile calendering unit 106 performed on the way out.

These steps 501 , 502 and 503 are carried out, whereby the aforementioned air-through fleece 10th for an absorbent article of this embodiment can be manufactured with a high degree of perfection. That is, even if the air-through fleece 10th the fiber layer 8th contains the fiber mass section 7 contains, the air-through fleece 10th for an absorbent article with excellent voluminous texture and soft texture as well as with the pattern with a high degree of perfection. If necessary, the air-through fleece produced 10th wound up for an absorbent article in roll form.

In the manufacturing process of this embodiment, the calendering step (step 503 ) on the laminated pile 90 performed before undergoing air-through processing. However, the calendering step is not limited to this, and calendering can be done individually on the single-layer pile 81 and single-layer pile 82 be carried out before lamination, or calendering can be carried out on the air-through fleece after the air-through processing. If calendering is carried out on the air-through fleece, the air-through fleece to be processed serves as the raw material air-through fleece before it becomes the air-through fleece 10th is formed for an absorbent article of this embodiment.

In the manufacturing process of this embodiment, the calendering step (step 503 ) performed, whereby the fiber mass section 7 is flattened by the calender and one by the fiber mass section 7 deviating part is also smoothed by calendering so that it is smooth. In the fleece 10th , the surface of which becomes smooth, the thicknesses of a plurality of fiber layers are retained in an integrated material, and therefore the resulting material is formed into a product that has a degree of skin contact for the fiber mass portion with a thickness in a foreign matter feeling (uncomfortable feeling) 7 and the padding properties.

In the manufacturing process of this embodiment, the fiber mass can be flattened in one manufacturing step of an integrated nonwoven. This eliminates the need to introduce a fiber mass control device after the nonwoven has been produced, which can reduce production costs. There is also no need for a post-production control treatment after the calendering treatment and the hot air restoration treatment, which can improve the manufacturing efficiency of the nonwoven.

From the point of view of effectively reducing the hardness of the fiber mass section 7 the calendering described above is preferably the pile calendering carried out on one or more webs selected from the single layer pile or the laminated pile.

Calendering is not limited to the case where the calendering is carried out in only one stage of a single-layer pile stage, a laminated pile stage and an air-through nonwoven stage, and can be carried out in two or more stages. Calendering is not limited to the case where calendering is carried out once in each stage, and can be carried out twice or more. For example, calendering is not limited to the case where calendering on the laminated pile 90 this embodiment is performed only once, and can be performed twice or more.

A linear pressure in the calendering step, ie that on the laminated pile 90 who have favourited Single Layer Flore 81 and 82 and the air-through fleece (raw material air-through fleece) applied linear pressure when compressed between the calender rolls 106A and 106B is preferably the highest of the linear pressures on the single layer pile 81 and 82 who have favourited Laminated Flore 90 and 95 and the air-through fleece 601 be exercised by all rollers in all steps. “All rolls” here means all rolls that are in addition to the previously mentioned calender rolls in the entire production steps 106A and 106B be used. For example, this includes a pressure roller for conveying the fleece after heat treatment, a pressure roller or a pressure roller during winding, a pressure roller during longitudinal cutting after winding and the like. Ä.

In particular, from the point of view of the effective reduction in hardness of the fiber mass section in the calendering step 7 a linear pressure before performing the thermal fusion ( P ) on the single-layered pile 81 and 82 as well as on the laminated pile 90 is exercised, preferably at least 20 N / cm, more preferably at least 100 N / cm and even more preferably at least 180 N / cm. In addition, from the point of view of the thickness recoverability after applying the pressure, the linear pressure described above ( P ) preferably at most 700 N / cm, more preferably at most 500 N / cm and even more preferably at most 250 N / cm. In particular, the linear pressure is ( P ) preferably at least 20 N / cm and at most 700 N / cm, more preferably at least 100 N / cm and at most 500 N / cm and even more preferably at least 180 N / cm and at most 250 N / cm.

With a pair of calender rolls 106A and 106B that in the pile calender unit 106 used, are rollers, the peripheral surfaces of which are smooth. Various materials that are used for calendering can be used as the material for this. In addition, a material of the calender roll 106A and a material of the calender roll 106B be the same or different.

Among these, from the point of view of further strengthening, is an effect on the reduction in hardness of the fiber mass section 7 the calender roll used for calendering is preferably a combination of a resin roll and a steel roll. In pile calendering this embodiment is called a calender roll 106A the steel roller used as the roller that is in contact with the pile 82 stands that the thick fibers of the laminated pile 90 contains, and as a calender roll 106B the resin roller is used as the roller that is connected to the pile 81 is in contact with the fine fibers of the laminated pile 90 contains. However, the arrangement of the resin roller and the steel roller is not limited to this and may be an inverse combination.

From the point of view of further strengthening the effect on reducing the hardness of the fiber mass section 7 The hardness of the resin roller described above is preferably at least 20 degrees, more preferably at least 50 degrees, and even more preferably at least 80 degrees in D hardness (JIS K 6253-3). From the same point of view as described above, the hardness of the resin roller is preferably at most 100 degrees, more preferably at most 95 degrees and even more preferably at most 90 degrees in D hardness (JIS K 6253-3). In particular, the hardness of the resin roller described above is preferably at least 20 degrees and at most 100 degrees, more preferably at least 50 degrees and at most 95 degrees and even more preferably at least 80 degrees and at most 90 degrees.

Air-through processing preferably includes multiple air-through processing.

3rd shows an aspect of a heat treatment unit (hot air consolidation or air-through processing unit) with a first air-through treatment unit 117 and a second air-through treatment unit 127 . In this aspect, the air-through processing is performed twice by the first air-through treatment and the second air-through treatment. However, the frequency of air-through treatments is not twice as in 3rd limited and can be done three or more times. If the air-through treatment is carried out as three times or even more frequent air-through treatment, "later stage of the air-through treatment" refers to the air-through treatment in and after the "initial air-through treatment" second air-through treatment. With double air-through treatment in 3rd “Initial air-through treatment” refers to the first air-through treatment, and “later stage of air-through treatment” refers to the second air-through treatment. In the air-through step (double air-through treatment) according to 3rd becomes hot air in the hood 107C in the first air-through treatment center 117 blown (arrow F1 ), and hot air is in the hood 107D in the second air-through treatment center 127 blown (arrow F2 ). Here, the laminated pile subjected to the pile calendering 95 from the first air-through treatment center 117 to the second air-through treatment center 127 through the conveyor belt 107B continuously promoted. As a result, the first air-through treatment and the second air-through treatment are applied to the laminated pile 95 applied continuously.

In the air-through step described above, it is preferred that a speed of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is faster than a speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment, ie the initial air-through treatment is carried out at a lower air speed. As a result, a reduction in the voluminous nature by air pressure in the air-through treatment unit is suppressed, and a restoration effect by hot air occurs, which leads to a high voluminous nature of the pile. In particular, calendering on the laminated pile 90 or on the single-layer floras 81 and 82 Before training to form a nonwoven as in the description of this embodiment, the treatment described above is effective in the subsequent air-through treatment.

In particular, the speed is S1 hot air in the initial air-through treatment is preferably at least 0.2 m / s, more preferably at least 0.25 m / s and even more preferred at least 0.4 m / s. The speed S1 hot air in the initial air-through treatment is preferably at most 1.2 m / s, more preferably at most 0.8 m / s, and even more preferably at most 0.5 m / s. In particular, the air speed is S1 preferably at least 0.2 m / s and at most 1.2 m / s, more preferably at least 0.25 m / s and at most 0.8 m / s and even more preferably at least 0.4 m / s and at most 0.5 m / s. This suppresses flattening of the pile, and the thickness restoring effect of the pile occurs.

The speed S2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably at least 0.8 m / s, more preferably at least 0.9 m / s, and even more preferably at most 1.2 m / s. The speed S2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably at most 1.6 m / s, more preferably at most 1.4 m / s, and even more preferably at most 1.3 m / s. In particular, the air speed is S2 preferably at least 0.8 m / s and at most 1.6 m / s, more preferably at least 0.9 m / s and at most 1.4 m / s and even more preferably at least 1.2 m / s and at most 1.3 m / s. As a result, air flows through the pile evenly and heat energy is effectively supplied to it in a fleece structure.

The difference S3 (= S2 - S1) between the speed S1 of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and speed S2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably above 0 m / s, more preferably at least 0.4 m / s and even more preferably at least 0.8 m / s. The difference S3 (= S2 - S1) between the speed S1 of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and speed S2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably at most 1.4 m / s, more preferably at most 1.2 m / s and even more preferably at most 1 m / s. In particular, the difference is S3 (= S2 - S1) between the speeds S1 of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and speed S2 of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment preferably above 0 m / s and at most 1.4 m / s, more preferably at least 0.4 m / s and at most 1.2 m / s and even more preferably at least 0 , 8 m / s and at most 1 m / s. This effectively enables both the restoration of the voluminous nature and the formation of the fleece to be guaranteed.

In the air-through step described above, a temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably higher than in the initial air-through treatment. As a result, the fusion of the fibers progresses gradually in order to allow the restoration of the pile to develop effectively in the air-through treatment unit. In particular, calendering on the laminated pile 90 or on the single-layer floras 81 and 82 Before training to form a fleece as described in the description of this embodiment, the previously described effect is higher in the subsequent air-through treatment.

In particular, the temperature is P1 hot air in the initial air-through treatment preferably at least 85 ° C, more preferably at least 90 ° C, and even more preferably at least 100 ° C. The temperature P1 hot air in the initial air-through treatment is preferably at most 134 ° C, more preferably at most 115 ° C, and even more preferably at most 105 ° C. In particular, the temperature is P1 hot air in the initial air-through treatment preferably at least 85 ° C and at most 134 ° C, more preferably at least 90 ° C and at most 115 ° C and even more preferably at least 100 ° C and at most 105 ° C. The restoration of the pile in the air-through treatment unit can thereby be effectively demonstrated.

The temperature P2 of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used (e.g. a cladding section for core-cladding bicomponent fibers) and is preferably at most 145 ° C, more preferred at most 137 ° C and more preferably 134 ° C. In particular, the temperature P2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used and is at most 145 ° C, is more preferably at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used and is at most 137 ° C and is more preferably at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used and is at most 134 ° C. This makes it possible to produce the fleece that has the texture with the good feeling.

The difference P3 (= P2 - P1) between the temperature P1 of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and temperature P2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably above 0 ° C, more preferably at least 20 ° C, and even more preferably at least 30 ° C. The difference P3 (= P2 - P1) between the temperature P1 of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and temperature P2 hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is preferably at most 60 ° C, more preferably at most 40 ° C, and even more preferably at most 35 ° C. In particular, the difference P3 (= P2 - P1) between the temperature P1 of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and temperature P2 of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment, preferably above 0 ° C and at most 60 ° C, more preferably at least 20 ° C and at most 40 ° C and even more preferably at least 30 ° C and at most 35 ° C. This enables the production of a voluminous fleece with the good feeling to be realized.

In the method for manufacturing the air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article of this embodiment as described above, it is preferred that unnecessary parts, e.g. B. (Remaining) pieces that are produced in the manufacturing steps are collected once and returned to the opening step (step 504 ).

In this step 504 the method has a step of collecting transverse end portions of the pile in the card used in the opening step described above and / or a step of partially collecting the previously described air-through fleece and cutting and opening part of the collected air Through fleece. The previously described gathered pile and the cut and opened part of the fleece are fed to the opening step described above. “The cut and opened part of the air-through fleece” is understood to mean the part with remnant parts of the transverse end sections and, without limitation, a product during the setting of processing conditions or a product which does not conform to the specification and which is produced in the step of producing the fleece.

2nd shows a specific example of the step described above 504 . The transverse end sections (not shown) are used for the single layer pile 81 and 82 absorbed and collected in the carding unit 103 and 104 are formed (arrows 181 and 182 ). The air-through fleece 10th by performing the air-through processing in the heat treatment unit 107 is partially recovered (arrow 183 ). In this case, the part of the collected air-through fleece cannot be reused unchanged, which is why the part can be used in a cutting and opening unit 108 is cut and opened to be converted back into fiber form.

The collected pile as well as the cut and opened part of the air-through fleece become the opening unit 101 returned, opened again and used as material to form the pile (arrow 184 ). The material can be used for the opening unit 101 and / or to the opening unit 102 to be led back. 2nd shows a flow in which the material to the opening unit 101 is due. The material becomes the opening unit 101 returned, it is preferred to adjust a feed amount of new raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71 in such a way that a proportion of the fine fibers in the pile to be formed 81 can be kept at a constant minimum value and a content of the thick fibers is suppressed so that it is within a few percent (for example within 5%). So while the fiber mass section 7 in the pile 81 is formed, contains the fleece 10th a large amount of fine fibers, and the soft texture on one side of the surface 10A of the fleece 10th can be realized.

The return of the material described above is not related to the aspect in 2nd limited. For example, the return can take place in one aspect, in which one of the carding unit 103 collected material for the opening unit 101 is returned and one from the carding unit 104 collected material for the opening unit 102 is returned. It is preferred that the cut and opened part of the air-through fleece to the opening unit 102 attributed.

As described above, according to the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the nonwoven can 10th with excellent voluminous texture and soft texture and preferably with the pattern. The nonwoven in particular can preferably be produced 10th , which is provided with physical properties by the thicknesses described above T1 and T2 and the difference T3 (= T1 - T2) under the previously described pressure of 7.64 kPa and the average coefficient of friction Q1 and Q2 and the difference Q3 (= Q1 - Q2) are given. The fleece 10th is due to the through the fiber mass section 7 formed pattern aesthetically pleasing, especially the pattern through the fiber mass section 7 is formed in which its thickness is reduced.

The nonwoven according to the invention for an absorbent article thus obtained is expedient therein as a predetermined component in an absorbent article in the manufacturing step of an absorbent article incorporated (familiarization step). The incorporation step is preferably the step described below, for example. That is, the thus-obtained absorbent article nonwoven fabric of the present invention is suitably cut into a size or shape or the like to manufacture an intended material, and the intended material is placed at a predetermined position relative to other components. Thereafter, the resulting material is turned over and folded with other parts as necessary, and the resulting material is bonded to and incorporated into the absorbent article. The desired absorption article is thus produced via the step of incorporating the fleece according to the invention for an absorption article in the manufacturing step of the absorption article.

Since the fleece according to the invention realizes both the voluminous nature and the soft texture for an absorbent article and is provided with the pattern that can be visually appealing to a user, it is preferred that the above-described incorporation step is the step of incorporating the fleece into an outermost layer component (for example the top sheet or the side web) on the skin surface side of the absorbent article. In particular, it is preferred that the step is the step of incorporating the fleece into the absorbent article as a top sheet, which is in skin contact and is most noticeable for the customer. It is preferred that the air-through fleece according to the invention is provided for an absorbent article with a configuration in which the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is used as the outermost layer of the fleece. It is more preferred that the air-through fleece according to the invention for an absorbent article is arranged in the outermost layer on the skin surface side of the absorbent article and the fibrous layer containing the previously described fiber mass section is arranged on the skin surface side of the absorbent article.

1. (1) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel, in dem zwei oder mehr Faserschichten laminiert sind, die mindestens eine Faserschicht enthalten, die thermoplastische Fasern und einen Fasermasseabschnitt enthält.
2. (2) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (1), wobei das Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel feine Fasern mit einem Faserdurchmesser von mindestens 1 dtex und höchstens 2,2 dtex, vorzugsweise mindestens 1 dtex und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 1,2 dtex sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 2 dtex und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 1,5 dtex; und dicke Fasern mit einem größeren Faserdurchmesser als die feinen Fasern hat und wobei die den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltende Faserschicht die feinen Fasern aufweist.
3. (3) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (2), wobei ein Gehalt der feinen Fasern in der den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht vorzugsweise mindestens 50 Masse-%, stärker bevorzugt mindestens 80 Masse-% und noch stärker bevorzugt 100 Masse-% beträgt.
4. (4) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (3), das mindestens eine Faserschicht enthält, die keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthält.
5. (5) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (4), wobei das Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel dicke Fasern mit einem Faserdurchmesser über 2,2 dtex und höchstens 7 dtex, vorzugsweise über 2,2 dtex und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 4,4 dtex sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 5,5 dtex und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 5 dtex; und feine Fasern mit einem kleineren Faserdurchmesser als die dicken Fasern hat und wobei die keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltende Faserschicht die dicken Fasern aufweist.
6. (6) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (5), wobei ein Gehalt der dicken Fasern in der keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht vorzugsweise mindestens 50 Masse-%, stärker bevorzugt mindestens 80 Masse-% und noch stärker bevorzugt 100 Masse-% beträgt.
7. (7) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (5) oder (6), wobei ein Gehalt der dicken Fasern in der den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht vorzugsweise höchstens 50 Masse-%, stärker bevorzugt höchstens 30 Masse-% und noch stärker bevorzugt höchstens 10 Masse-% beträgt.
8. (8) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (4) bis (7), wobei ein mittlerer Faserdurchmesser in der keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht größer als ein mittlerer Faserdurchmesser in der den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht ist.
9. (9) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (8), wobei eine Differenz zwischen dem mittleren Faserdurchmesser der keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht und dem mittleren Faserdurchmesser der den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht über 0 dtex und höchstens 5,6 dtex, vorzugsweise mindestens 2,2 dtex und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 3 dtex sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 4 dtex und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 3,5 dtex beträgt.
10. (10) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (4) bis (9), wobei ein Flächengewicht in der keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht größer als ein Flächengewicht in der den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht ist.
11. (11) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (10), wobei eine Differenz zwischen dem Flächengewicht der keinen Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht und dem Flächengewicht der den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltenden Faserschicht über 0 g/m² und höchstens 20 g/m², vorzugsweise mindestens 3 g/m² und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 5 g/m² sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 15 g/m² und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 10 g/m² beträgt.
12. (12) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (11), wobei ein Flächengewicht des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel insgesamt mindestens 15 g/m² und höchstens 40 g/m², vorzugsweise mindestens 18 g/m² und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 20 g/m² sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 30 g/m² und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 25 g/m² beträgt.
13. (13) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (12), wobei unter Zugrundelegung einer Dicke des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel in der Messung unter einem Druck von 7,64 kPa an einer Position, an der der Fasermasseabschnitt angeordnet ist, als T1 und unter Zugrundelegung einer Dicke des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel in der Messung unter dem gleichen Druck an einer Position, an der kein Fasermasseabschnitt angeordnet ist, als T2 eine Differenz T3 der Dicke in der Definition durch eine Gleichung T3 = T1 - T2 höchstens 0,4 mm, vorzugsweise höchstens 0,3 mm, stärker bevorzugt höchstens 0,2 mm und noch stärker bevorzugt 0 (null) mm beträgt.
14. (14) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (13), wobei ein mittlerer Reibungskoeffizient an der Position, an der der Fasermasseabschnitt des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel angeordnet ist, mindestens 1,6 und höchstens 2,5, vorzugsweise mindestens 1,6 sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 2,4 und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 2,3 beträgt.
15. (15) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (14), wobei eine Differenz zwischen dem mittleren Reibungskoeffizient an der Position, an der der Fasermasseabschnitt des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel angeordnet ist, und dem mittleren Reibungskoeffizient an der Position, an der kein Fasermasseabschnitt des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel angeordnet ist, höchstens 0,7, vorzugsweise höchstens 0,5, stärker bevorzugt höchstens 0,32, noch stärker bevorzugt mindestens 0,3 und besonders bevorzugt 0 (null) beträgt.
16. (16) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (15), wobei der Fasermasseabschnitt in abgeflachter Form ausgebildet ist, in der die Fasern in Dickenrichtung des Vlieses mit Blick vom Querschnitt des Vlieses in Dickenrichtung abgeflacht sind und eine Oberfläche des Fasermasseabschnitts auf einer Seite einer Vliesoberfläche eine glatte Struktur hat.
17. (17) Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (16), wobei die den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltende Faserschicht eine äußerste Schicht des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel ist.
18. (18) Absorptionsartikel, der das Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (1) bis (17) enthält.
19. (19) Absorptionsartikel, wobei das Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (17) in der äußersten Schicht auf der Hautoberflächenseite des Absorptionsartikels angeordnet ist und die den Fasermasseabschnitt enthaltende Faserschicht zur Hautoberflächenseite angeordnet ist.
20. (20) Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (18) oder (19), der das Air-Through-Vlies für einen Absorptionsartikel als Topsheet enthält.
21. (21) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel, das enthält:
    • einen Öffnungsschritt, in dem mehrfache Öffnungsbehandlungen auf thermoplastische Fasern angewendet werden, um einen Flor zu bilden;
    • einen Schritt, in dem mehrere im Öffnungsschritt erhaltene einschichtige Flore laminiert werden, um einen laminierten Flor zu bilden, und eine Air-Through-Bearbeitung durch Heißluft auf den laminierten Flor angewendet wird, um ein Air-Through-Vlies zu erhalten; und
    • einen Kalandrierschritt, in dem Kalandrieren auf eine oder mehrere Bahnen, die aus dem einschichtigen Flor, dem laminierten Flor und dem Air-Through-Vlies ausgewählt sind, mit Hilfe eines Paars Kalanderwalzen angewendet wird.
22. (22) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (21), wobei in allen Schritten des Verfahrens zur Herstellung des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel ein Lineardruck im Kalandrierschritt der höchste unter den Lineardrücken ist, die auf den einschichtigen Flor, den laminierten Flor und das Air-Through-Vlies ausgeübt werden.
23. (23) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (21) oder (22), wobei der Kalandrierschritt ein Florkalandrieren ist, das an einer oder mehreren Bahnen durchgeführt wird, die aus dem einschichtigen Flor und dem Laminierten Flor ausgewählt sind.
24. (24) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (23), wobei im Florkalandrierschritt ein auf den einschichtigen Flor oder den laminierten Flor ausgeübter Lineardruck mindestens 20 N/cm und höchstens 700 N/cm, vorzugsweise mindestens 100 N/cm und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 180 N/cm sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 500 N/cm und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 250 N/cm beträgt.
25. (25) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (24), wobei das für den Kalandrierschritt verwendete Paar Kalanderwalzen eine Kombination aus einer Harzwalze und einer Stahlwalze ist.
26. (26) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (25), wobei die Härte der Harzwalze mindestens 20 Grad und höchstens 100 Grad, vorzugsweise mindestens 50 Grad und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 80 Grad sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 95 Grad und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 90 Grad in der D-Härte beträgt.
27. (27) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (26), wobei die Air-Through-Bearbeitung mehrere Air-Through-Behandlungen hat und wobei eine Geschwindigkeit von Heißluft in der späteren Stufe der Air-Through-Behandlung schneller als eine Geschwindigkeit von Heißluft in der anfänglichen Air-Through-Behandlung ist.
28. (28) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (27), wobei die Geschwindigkeit von Heißluft in der anfänglichen Air-Through-Behandlung mindestens 0,2 m/s und höchstens 1,2 m/s, vorzugsweise mindestens 0,25 m/s und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 0,4 m/s sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 0,8 m/s und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 0,5 m/s beträgt.
29. (29) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (27) oder (28), wobei die Geschwindigkeit von Heißluft in der späteren Stufe der Air-Through-Behandlung mindestens 0,8 m/s und höchstens 1,6 m/s, vorzugsweise mindestens 0,9 m/s und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 1,2 m/s sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 1,4 m/s und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 1,3 m/s beträgt.
30. (30) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (27) bis (29), wobei die Differenz zwischen der Geschwindigkeit von Heißluft in der anfänglichen Air-Through-Behandlung und der Geschwindigkeit von Heißluft in der späteren Stufe der Air-Through-Behandlung über 0 m/s und höchstens 1,4 m/s, vorzugsweise mindestens 0,4 m/s und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 0,8 m/s sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 1,2 m/s und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 1 m/s beträgt.
31. (31) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (30), wobei die Air-Through-Bearbeitung mehrere Air-Through-Behandlungen hat und wobei eine Temperatur von Heißluft in der späteren Stufe der Air-Through-Behandlung höher als eine Temperatur von Heißluft in der anfänglichen Air-Through-Behandlung ist.
32. (32) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (31), wobei die Temperatur von Heißluft in der anfänglichen Air-Through-Behandlung mindestens 85 °C und höchstens 134 °C, vorzugsweise mindestens 90 °C und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 100 °C sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 115 °C und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 105 °C beträgt.
33. (33) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (31) oder (32), wobei die Temperatur von Heißluft in der späteren Stufe der Air-Through-Behandlung mindestens gleich einem Schmelzpunkt der Komponente auf einer Oberfläche der zu verwendenden Fasern ist und höchstens 145 °C beträgt, vorzugsweise mindestens gleich einem Schmelzpunkt der Komponente auf einer Oberfläche der zu verwendenden Fasern ist und vorzugsweise höchstens 137 °C und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 134 °C beträgt.
34. (34) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (31) bis (33), wobei die Differenz zwischen der Temperatur von Heißluft in der anfänglichen Air-Through-Behandlung und der Temperatur von Heißluft in der späteren Stufe der Air-Through-Behandlung über 0 °C und höchstens 60 °C, vorzugsweise mindestens 20 °C und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 30 °C sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 40 °C und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 35 °C beträgt.
35. (35) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (34), das einen oder beide Schritte enthält:
    • einen Schritt des Auffangens von Querendabschnitten des Flors in der im Öffnungsschritt verwendeten Karde und
    • einen Schritt, in dem das Air-Through-Vlies teilweise aufgefangen wird und ein Teil des aufgefangenen Air-Through-Vlieses geschnitten und geöffnet wird;
    • wobei der aufgefangene Flor und der geschnittene und geöffnete Teil des Air-Through-Vlieses für den Öffnungsschritt vorgesehen werden.
36. (36) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (35), wobei der laminierte Flor mehrere Arten von Fasern mit unterschiedlichen Faserdurchmessern enthält.
37. (37) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (36), wobei der laminierte Flor feine Fasern mit einem Faserdurchmesser von mindestens 1 dtex und höchstens 2,2 dtex, vorzugsweise mindestens 1 dtex und stärker bevorzugt mindestens 1,2 dtex sowie vorzugsweise höchstens 2 dtex und stärker bevorzugt höchstens 1,5 dtex enthält.
38. (38) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Absorptionsartikels, das einen Schritt des Einarbeitens des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel, das durch das Herstellungsverfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Punkte (21) bis (37) hergestellt ist, in einen Absorptionsartikel enthält.
39. (39) Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Absorptionsartikels nach dem vorstehenden Punkt (38), das einen Schritt des Einarbeitens des Air-Through-Vlieses für einen Absorptionsartikel in einen Absorptionsartikel als Topsheet enthält.

With regard to the aforementioned embodiments, the invention further discloses the hot air-bonded or air-through fleece for an absorbent article and the methods for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article which are described below.

1. (1) Air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article in which two or more fiber layers are laminated, which contain at least one fiber layer containing thermoplastic fibers and a fiber mass section.
2. (2) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to item (1) above, wherein the air-through fleece for an absorbent article has fine fibers with a fiber diameter of at least 1 dtex and at most 2.2 dtex, preferably at least 1 dtex and more preferably at least 1.2 dtex and preferably at most 2 dtex and more preferably at most 1.5 dtex; and has thick fibers having a larger fiber diameter than the fine fibers, and wherein the fiber layer containing the fiber mass portion comprises the fine fibers.
3. (3) Air-through nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to the above item (2), wherein a content of the fine fibers in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass portion is preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably at least 80% by mass and still more preferably 100 Mass% is.
4. (4) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (1) to (3), which contains at least one fiber layer which does not contain any fiber mass section.
5. (5) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to item (4) above, the air-through fleece for an absorbent article having thick fibers with a fiber diameter of more than 2.2 dtex and at most 7 dtex, preferably more than 2.2 dtex and more preferably at least 4.4 dtex and preferably at most 5.5 dtex and more preferably at most 5 dtex; and has fine fibers having a smaller fiber diameter than the thick fibers, and wherein the fiber layer containing no fiber mass portion has the thick fibers.
6. (6) Air-through nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to the above item (5), wherein a content of the thick fibers in the fiber layer not containing any fiber mass portion is preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably at least 80% by mass and even more preferably 100 Mass% is.
7. (7) Air-through nonwoven fabric for an absorbent article according to item (5) or (6) above, wherein a content of the thick fibers in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass portion is preferably at most 50% by mass, more preferably at most 30% by mass, and more preferably at most 10% by mass.
8. (8) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (4) to (7), wherein an average fiber diameter in the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section is greater than an average fiber diameter in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section.
9. (9) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to item (8) above, wherein a difference between the mean fiber diameter of the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section and the mean fiber diameter of the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is above 0 dtex and at most 5.6 dtex, is preferably at least 2.2 dtex and more preferably at least 3 dtex and preferably at most 4 dtex and more preferably at most 3.5 dtex.
10. (10) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (4) to (9), wherein a weight per unit area in the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section is greater than a weight per unit area in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section.
11. (11) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to item (10) above, wherein a difference between the basis weight of the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section and the basis weight of the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is above 0 g / m ² and at most 20 g / m ² , preferably at least 3 g / m ² and more preferably at least 5 g / m ² and preferably at most 15 g / m ² and more preferably at most 10 g / m ² .
12. (12) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (1) to (11), a weight per unit area of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article totaling at least 15 g / m ² and at most 40 g / m ² , preferably at least 18 g / m ² and more preferably at least 20 g / m ² and preferably at most 30 g / m ² and more preferably at most 25 g / m ² .
13. (13) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (1) to (12), wherein based on a thickness of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article in the measurement under a pressure of 7.64 kPa a position at which the fiber mass section is arranged as T1 and based on a thickness of the air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article in the measurement under the same pressure at a position where no fiber mass portion is arranged as T2 a difference T3 the thickness as defined by an equation T3 = T1 - T2 is at most 0.4 mm, preferably at most 0.3 mm, more preferably at most 0.2 mm and even more preferably 0 (zero) mm.
14. (14) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above points ( 1 ) to (13), an average coefficient of friction at the position at which the fiber mass section of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is arranged, at least 1.6 and at most 2.5, preferably at least 1.6 and preferably at most 2, 4 and more preferably at most 2.3.
15. (15) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to the above item ( 14 ), wherein a difference between the average coefficient of friction at the position at which the fiber mass section of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is arranged, and the average coefficient of friction at the position at which no fiber mass section of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is at most 0.7, preferably at most 0.5, more preferably at most 0.32, even more preferably at least 0.3 and particularly preferably 0 (zero).
16. (16) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (1) to (15), the fiber mass section being formed in a flattened form, in which the fibers flattened in the thickness direction of the fleece with a view of the cross section of the fleece in the thickness direction and a surface of the fiber mass section on one side of a nonwoven surface has a smooth structure.
17. (17) Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (1) to (16), wherein the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is an outermost layer of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article.
18. (18) Absorbent article which contains the air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (1) to (17).
19. (19) Absorbent article, wherein the air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to the above item (17) is arranged in the outermost layer on the skin surface side of the absorbent article and the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is arranged on the skin surface side.
20. (20) Absorbent article according to item (18) or (19) above, which contains the air-through fleece for an absorbent article as a top sheet.
21. (21) Process for producing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article, which contains:
    • an opening step in which multiple opening treatments are applied to thermoplastic fibers to form a pile;
    • a step in which a plurality of single-layer sheets obtained in the opening step are laminated to form a laminated pile, and air-through processing by hot air is applied to the laminated pile to obtain an air-through mat; and
    • a calendering step in which calendering is applied to one or more webs selected from the single layer pile, the laminated pile and the air-through nonwoven with the aid of a pair of calender rolls.
22. (22) Method for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to item (21) above, wherein in all steps of the method for producing the air-through fleece for an absorbent article, a linear pressure in the calendering step is the highest among the linear pressures that are exerted on the single-layer pile, the laminated pile and the air-through fleece.
23. (23) A process for producing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to item (21) or (22) above, wherein the calendering step is a pile calendering which is carried out on one or more webs which consist of the single-layer pile and the Laminated pile are selected.
24. (24) A process for producing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to item (23) above, wherein in the pile calendering step a linear pressure exerted on the single-layer pile or the laminated pile is preferably at least 20 N / cm and at most 700 N / cm, preferably is at least 100 N / cm and more preferably at least 180 N / cm and preferably at most 500 N / cm and more preferably at most 250 N / cm.
25. (25) A method of manufacturing an air-through non-woven fabric for an absorbent article according to any one of the above items (21) to (24), wherein the pair of calender rolls used for the calendering step is a combination of a resin roll and a steel roll.
26. (26) A method for producing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to the above item (25), wherein the hardness of the resin roller is at least 20 degrees and at most 100 degrees, preferably at least 50 degrees and more preferably at least 80 degrees and preferably at most 95 Degrees and more preferably at most 90 degrees in D hardness.
27. (27) A method of manufacturing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to any one of the above items (21) to (26), wherein the air-through processing has several air-through treatments and wherein a speed of hot air in the later stage of air-through treatment is faster than a speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment.
28. (28) A method of manufacturing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to item (27) above, wherein the speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment is at least 0.2 m / s and at most 1.2 m / s s, preferably at least 0.25 m / s and more preferably at least 0.4 m / s and preferably at most 0.8 m / s and more preferably at most 0.5 m / s.
29. (29) A method of manufacturing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to item (27) or (28) above, wherein the speed of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is at least 0.8 m / s and at most 1.6 m / s, preferably at least 0.9 m / s and more preferably at least 1.2 m / s and preferably at most 1.4 m / s and more preferably at most 1.3 m / s.
30. (30) A method of making an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to any one of items (27) to (29) above, wherein the difference between the speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and the speed of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment above 0 m / s and at most 1.4 m / s, preferably at least 0.4 m / s and more preferably at least 0.8 m / s and preferably at most 1.2 m / s and more preferably at most 1 m / s.
31. (31) A method of manufacturing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to any one of the above items (21) to (30), wherein the air-through processing has several air-through treatments and wherein a temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is higher than a temperature of hot air in the initial air-through treatment.
32. (32) A method of manufacturing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to item (31) above, wherein the temperature of hot air in the initial air-through treatment is at least 85 ° C and at most 134 ° C, preferably at least 90 ° C and more preferably at least 100 ° C and preferably at most 115 ° C and more preferably at most 105 ° C.
33. (33) A process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to item (31) or (32) above, wherein the temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is at least equal to a melting point of the component on one Surface of the fibers to be used is at most 145 ° C, preferably at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used and preferably is at most 137 ° C and more preferably at most 134 ° C.
34. (34) A method of manufacturing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to any one of items (31) to (33) above, wherein the difference between the temperature of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and the temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is above 0 ° C and at most 60 ° C, preferably at least 20 ° C and more preferably at least 30 ° C and preferably at most 40 ° C and more preferably at most 35 ° C.
35. (35) A method for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (21) to (34), which comprises one or both steps:
    • a step of collecting transverse end portions of the pile in the card used in the opening step and
    • a step in which the air-through fleece is partially collected and part of the collected air-through fleece is cut and opened;
    • wherein the collected pile and the cut and opened part of the air-through fleece are provided for the opening step.
36. (36) A method for producing an air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article according to any one of the above items (21) to (35), wherein the laminated pile contains several types of fibers with different fiber diameters.
37. (37) A process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the above items (21) to (36), the laminated pile being fine fibers having a fiber diameter of at least 1 dtex and at most 2.2 dtex, preferably at least 1 dtex and more preferably at least 1.2 dtex and preferably at most 2 dtex and more preferably at most 1.5 dtex.
38. (38) A method of manufacturing an absorbent article which includes a step of incorporating the air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article made by the manufacturing method according to any one of items (21) to (37) above into an absorbent article.
39. (39) A method for producing an absorbent article according to item (38) above, which includes a step of incorporating the air-through fleece for an absorbent article into an absorbent article as a top sheet.

Examples

The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of examples, but the invention is not restricted to these. A left arrow “←” means that the content is identical to the one in the left column indicated by the arrow.

example 1

With the help of 2nd In the manufacturing apparatus shown, the nonwoven fabric sample of Example 1 was produced at a processing speed of 10 m / min as shown below.

First, as raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71 were used to form a fiber layer 1 core-sheath type thermoplastic fibers (core: polyethylene terephthalate resin, sheath: polyethylene resin) with a fiber diameter of 1.4 dtex are used. The raw material fibers 71 were used, creating multiple opening treatments on it in one opening unit 101 and a carding unit 103 were applied to a single-layer pile 81 with a basis weight of 10 g / m ² .

In addition, as raw material fibers (thick fibers) 72 to form a fiber layer 2nd core-sheath type thermoplastic fibers (core: polyethylene terephthalate resin, sheath: polyethylene resin) with a fiber diameter of 4.4 dtex are used. The raw material fibers 72 were used, creating multiple opening treatments on it in one opening unit 102 and a carding unit 104 were applied to a single-layer pile 82 with a basis weight of 15 g / m ² .

Next, in a laminated flore-forming unit 105 the single-layer pile 82 on the single-layer pile 81 laminated to a laminated pile 90 to build. In a pile calendering unit 106 was pile calendering on the laminated pile 90 applied. In the pile calendering unit 106 became a steel calender roll 106A on an upper layer side and a resin roller 106B (D hardness: 90 degrees) was used on a lower layer side, and a linear pressure was set to 200 N / cm.

In a heat treatment unit 107 The air-through processing was carried out, in which a double air-through treatment was carried out 3rd on the laminated pile 95 was exercised, which was subjected to the pile calendering. The air speed and the temperature of the first air-through treatment and the second air-through treatment were set according to Table 1. A fleece sample in Example 1 was thereby produced.

In addition, in the manufacturing process described above, no operation for catching transverse end portions of the pile formed and a part of the non-woven fabric was carried out to return the collected materials to the opening step. Therefore, a fiber diameter of the raw material fibers (fine fibers) 71 gave an average fiber diameter of the fiber layer 1 , and a fiber diameter of the raw material fibers (thick fibers) 72 gave an average fiber diameter of the fiber layer 2nd .

Examples 2 to 7

Nonwoven samples in Examples 2 through 7 were made as in Example 1, except that the temperature and air velocity of the first air-through treatment were set according to Table 1.

Example 8

A fleece sample in Example 8 was prepared as in Example 1, except that no pile calendering was carried out and the fleece calendering according to Table 1 was carried out on the fleece after air-through processing.

Example 9

A nonwoven sample in Example 9 was made as in Example 1 except that the fiber diameter of raw material fibers (fine fibers) was used to form a fiber layer 1 was set to 2.0 dtex and the temperature and air velocity of the first air-through treatment were set in accordance with Table 1.

Example 10

A nonwoven sample in Example 10 was made as in Example 9 except that the fiber diameter of raw material fibers 72 to form a fiber layer 2nd was set to 2.0 dtex.

Example 11

A nonwoven sample in Example 11 was made as in Example 10 except that the fiber diameter of raw material fibers (fine fibers) was used to form a fiber layer 1 and the fiber diameter of raw material fibers 71 to form a fiber layer 2nd (lower layer) were set to 1.4 dtex.

Example 12

A nonwoven sample in Example 12 was made as in Example 11 except that the temperature and airspeed of the first air-through treatment were set according to Table 2.

Example 13

A nonwoven sample in Example 13 was prepared as in Example 12, except that no pile calendering was carried out and the nonwoven calendering according to Table 2 was carried out on the nonwoven after air-through processing.

Comparative Example 1

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 1 was made as in Example 1 except that no pile calendering was carried out.

Comparative Example 2

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 2 was made as in Comparative Example 1 manufactured with the exception that the fiber diameter of raw material fibers 71 to form a fiber layer 2nd (lower layer) was set to 1.4 dtex.

exams

Voluminous texture

Thickness of the fleece sample under 0.05 kPa load

The measurement was carried out using a laser sensor (model number ZS-LD80) and a controller (model number ZS-LDC11), manufactured by OMRON Corporation, as a laser thickness meter.

In the thickness measurement, a weight (0.05 kPa) was placed between a tip portion of the laser sensor and the nonwoven sample to be measured, and the thickness was measured in such a pressure application condition. Measurements were taken at at least 5 points each, and an average of these was taken as the thickness. In addition, 0.05 kPa is a load that is assumed for a visible thickness of the fleece in order to largely avoid reducing the thickness of the fleece.

Thickness of the fleece sample under 7.64 kPa pressure

A thickness ( T1 ) at a position where a bulk fiber portion of each nonwoven sample was placed and a thickness ( T2 ) at a position where no fiber mass section was arranged were measured in each case on the basis of the abovementioned method described in the “Method for Measuring the Thickness of the Nonwoven Under 7.64 kPa Pressure”. A difference was calculated ( T3 = T1 - T2 ).

friction

An MIU value ( Q1 ) at a position where a fiber mass portion of each nonwoven sample was arranged and an MIU value ( Q2 ) at a position where no fiber mass section was arranged were measured on the basis of the above-mentioned method described in the “Method for Measuring the Average Friction Coefficient”. A difference was calculated Q3 the MIU values (= Q1 - Q2).

template

The presence or absence of the fiber mass section was visually determined on each fleece sample. Table 1 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Specification of the fleece Fiber composition Fiber layer 1 PET / PE 1.35 dtex 100% ← ← ← ← ← ← ← Fiber layer 2 PET / PE 4.4 dtex 100% ← ← ← ← ← ← ← Basis weight (fiber layer 1 / fiber layer 2) g / m ² 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 Processing conditions Pile calendering top: steel roller bottom: resin roller, D hardness: 90 degrees N / cm 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 0 Temperature of the first air-through treatment ° C 136 136 115 105 105 105 85 136 Air speed of the first air-through treatment m / s 1.2 0.4 0.4 1.2 0.8 0.4 0.4 1.2 Temperature of the second air-through treatment ° C 136 136 136 136 136 136 136 136 Air speed of the second air-through treatment m / s 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 Nonwoven calendering Top: steel roller Bottom: resin roller, D hardness: 90 degrees N / cm 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200 Multiple opening treatment of fibers * 1 YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Processing speed m / min 10th 10th 10th 10th 10th 10th 10th 10th Remarks: "Ex." Means example according to the invention. Note * 1: “YES” means that the multiple opening treatment of fibers was carried out. Table 1 (continued-1) Ex. 9 Ex. 10 V-Ex. 1 Specification of the fleece Fiber composition Fiber layer 1 PET / PE 2.0 dtex 100% PET / PE 2.0 dtex 100% PET / PE 1.35 dtex 100% Fiber layer 2 PET / PE 4.4 dtex 100% PET / PE 2.0 dtex 100% PET / PE 4.4 dtex 100% Basis weight (fiber layer 1 / fiber layer 2) g / m ² 10/15 10/15 10/15 Processing conditions Pile calendering top: steel roller bottom: resin roller, D hardness: 90 degrees N / cm 200 200 0 Temperature of the first air-through treatment ° C 105 105 136 Air speed of the first Air Thronph treatment m / s 0.4 0.4 1.2 Temperature of the second air-through treatment ° C 136 136 136 Air speed of the second air-through treatment m / s 1.2 1.2 1.2 Nonwoven calendering Top: steel roller Bottom: resin roller, D hardness: 90 degrees N / cm 0 0 0 Multiple opening treatment of fibers * 1 YES YES YES Processing speed m / min 10th 10th 10th Remarks: "Ex." Means example according to the invention, and "V-Ex." Means comparative example. Note * 1: “YES” means that the multiple opening treatment of fibers was carried out. Table 1 (continued- 2) Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Voluminous texture Fleece thickness (0.05 kPa) mm 1.80 2.03 2.08 1.74 2.19 2.18 2.16 1.23 Thickness ( T2 ) at a position where no fiber mass section of the fleece was arranged (7.64 kPa) mm 0.13 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.13 Thickness ( T1 ) at the position at which the fiber mass section of the fleece was arranged 7.64 kPa) mm 0.33 0.39 0.37 0.35 0.35 0.39 0.39 0.33 T3 = T1 - T2 mm 0.20 0.22 0.20 0.18 0.19 0.24 0.24 0.20 feeling Average coefficient of friction (Q2) at position where no fiber mass section of the nonwoven was arranged MIU 2.00 2.10 2.03 2.10 2.13 2.11 2.06 2.03 Average coefficient of friction (Q1) at the position where the fiber mass section of the nonwoven was arranged MIU 2.31 2.30 2.26 2.30 2.34 2.31 2.30 2.30 Q3 = Q1 - Q2 MIU 0.31 0.20 0.23 0.20 0.21 0.20 0.24 0.27 template Fiber mass section available or missing Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Position at which fiber mass section was present Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Fiber layer 1 Remarks: "Ex." Means example according to the invention. Table 1 (continued- 3) Ex. 9 Ex. 10 V-Ex. 1 Voluminous texture Fleece thickness (0.05 kPa) mm 2.12 1.29 2.92 Thickness ( T2 ) at a position where no fiber mass section of the fleece was arranged (7.64 kPa) mm 0.17 0.14 0.16 Thickness ( T1 ) at the position where the fiber mass section of the fleece was arranged (7.64 kPa) mm 0.32 0.32 0.57 T3 = T1 - T2 mm 0.15 0.18 0.41 feeling Average coefficient of friction (Q2) at position where no fiber mass section of the nonwoven was arranged MIU 2.05 1.98 2.22 Average coefficient of friction (Q1) at the position where the fiber mass section of the nonwoven was arranged MIU 2.16 2.16 3.05 Q3 = Q1 - Q2 MIU 0.11 0.18 0.83 template Fiber mass section available or missing Available Available Available Position at which fiber mass section was present Fiber layer 1 Fiber layers 1 and 2 Fiber layer 1 Remarks: "Ex." Means example according to the invention, and "V-Ex." Means comparative example. Table 2 Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 V-Ex. 2nd Fiber composition Fiber layer 1 PET / PE 1.35 dtex 100% ← ← PET / PE 1.35 dtex 100% Specification of the fleece Fiber layer 2 PET / PE 1.35 dtex 100% ← ← PET / PE 1.35 dtex 100% Basis weight (fiber layer 1 / fiber layer 2) g / m ² 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 Processing conditions Pile calendering top: steel roller bottom: resin roller, D hardness: 90 degrees N / cm 200 200 0 0 Temperature of the first air-through treatment ° C 105 136 136 136 Air speed of the first air-through treatment m / s 0.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 Temperature of the second air-through treatment ° C 136 136 136 136 Air speed of the second air-through treatment m / s 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 Nonwoven calendering Top: steel roller Bottom: resin roller, D hardness: 90 degrees N / cm 0 0 200 0 Multiple opening treatment of fibers * 1 YES YES YES YES Processing speed m / min 10th 10th 10th 10th Remarks: "Ex." Means example according to the invention, and "V-Ex." Means comparative example. Note * 1: “YES” means that the multiple opening treatment of fibers was carried out. Table 2 (continued- 1) Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 V-Ex. 2nd Voluminous texture Fleece thickness (0.05 kPa) mm 1.15 0.97 0.80 2.57 Thickness ( T2 ) at a position where no fiber mass section of the fleece was arranged (7.64 kPa) mm 0.17 0.14 0.12 0.15 Thickness ( T1 ) at the position where the fiber mass section of the fleece was arranged (7.64 kPa) mm 0.36 0.35 0.34 0.58 T3 = T1 -T2 mm 0.19 0.21 0.22 0.43 feeling Average coefficient of friction (Q2) at position where no fiber mass section of the nonwoven was arranged MIU 1.83 1.69 1.94 2.26 Average coefficient of friction (Q1) at the position where the fiber mass section of the nonwoven was arranged MIU 2.28 2.30 2.30 3.02 Q3 = Q1 - Q2 MIU 0.45 0.61 0.36 0.76 template Fiber mass section available or missing Available Available Available Position at which fiber mass section was present Fiber layers 1 and 2 Fiber layers 1 and 2 Fiber layers 1 and 2 Remarks: "Ex." Means example according to the invention, and "V-Ex." Means comparative example.

According to Tables 1 and 2, the difference was in Examples 1 to 13 T3 between the thickness T1 at the position where the fiber mass section was arranged and the thickness T2 at the position where no fiber mass section was arranged under a pressure of 7.64 kPa, and the voluminous nature of the nonwoven fabric as a whole was compared with the comparative examples 1 and 2nd better. In particular, among the examples, the heat treatment processing after the pile calendering was formed into the nonwoven fabric that was thicker and had a better feeling in the bulk portion than the material that was subjected to calendering after nonwoven formation.

While the pattern of the fiber mass was detected in Examples 1 to 13, the coefficient of friction was Q1 at the position where the fiber mass section was arranged and the coefficient of friction Q2 at the position where no fiber mass section was arranged, and the difference Q3 between both consistently smaller, and softer texture in the nonwoven overall was compared to the comparative examples 1 and 2nd realized.

As described above, in Examples 1 to 3, the nonwovens were formed in such a way that they had excellent voluminous texture and soft texture and were also aesthetically very appealing with the pattern.

Having described the invention in connection with these embodiments, aspects and examples, it should be understood that the invention, unless otherwise specified, is not limited by the details of the description, but is to be broadly interpreted within the spirit and scope of the appended claims is.

Reference list

1

Fiber layer

2nd

Fiber layer

3rd

Fiber mass section

8th

Fiber mass layer (fiber layer section containing fiber layer)

9

Non-fiber mass layer (layer containing no fiber mass section)

10th

Air-through fleece for an absorbent article

100

Air-through fleece manufacturing device for an absorbent article

101, 102

Opening unit

103, 104

Carding unit

105

Laminated flore forming unit

106

Pile calendering unit

106A, 106B

Calender roll

107

Heat treatment unit (air-through processing unit)

117

First air-through treatment center

127

Second air-through treatment center

108

Cutting and opening unit

71, 72

Raw material fibers

81, 82

Single-layer pile (or pile)

90

Laminated pile

95

Laminated pile subjected to pile calendering

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• JP 2013151774 A [0005]
• JP 2017202265 A [0005]
• JP 60126365 A [0005]
• JP 2006299480 A [0005]

Claims (39)

Air-through fleece for an absorbent article in which two or more fiber layers are laminated, which contain at least one fiber layer which contains thermoplastic fibers and a fiber mass section. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 1 , wherein the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is fine fibers with a fiber diameter of at least 1 dtex and at most 2.2 dtex, preferably at least 1 dtex and more preferably at least 1.2 dtex and preferably at most 2 dtex and more preferably at most 1, 5 dtex; and has thick fibers having a larger fiber diameter than the fine fibers, and wherein the fiber layer containing the fiber mass portion comprises the fine fibers. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 2 wherein a content of the fine fibers in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass portion is preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably at least 80% by mass and still more preferably 100% by mass. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd that contains at least one fiber layer that does not contain a fiber mass section. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 4 , wherein the air-through fleece for an absorbent article thick fibers with a fiber diameter over 2.2 dtex and at most 7 dtex, preferably over 2.2 dtex and more preferably at least 4.4 dtex and preferably at most 5.5 dtex and more preferred at most 5 dtex; and has fine fibers having a smaller fiber diameter than the thick fibers, and wherein the fiber layer containing no fiber mass portion has the thick fibers. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 5 wherein a content of the thick fibers in the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section is preferably at least 50% by mass, more preferably at least 80% by mass and even more preferably 100% by mass. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 5 or 6 wherein a content of the thick fibers in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is preferably at most 50% by mass, more preferably at most 30% by mass and still more preferably at most 10% by mass. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 4 to 7 , wherein an average fiber diameter in the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section is larger than an average fiber diameter in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 8 , wherein a difference between the mean fiber diameter of the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section and the mean fiber diameter of the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is above 0 dtex and at most 5.6 dtex, preferably at least 2.2 dtex and more preferably at least 3 dtex and preferably at most 4 dtex and more preferably at most 3.5 dtex. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 4 to 9 , wherein a basis weight in the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section is greater than a basis weight in the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 10 , wherein a difference between the basis weight of the fiber layer containing no fiber mass section and the basis weight of the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is above 0 g / m ² and at most 20 g / m ² , preferably at least 3 g / m ² and more preferably at least 5 g / m ² and preferably at most 15 g / m ² and more preferably at most 10 g / m ² . Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , wherein a weight per unit area of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is at least 15 g / m ² and at most 40 g / m ² , preferably at least 18 g / m ² and more preferably at least 20 g / m ² and preferably at most 30 g / m ² and more preferably at most 25 g / m ² . Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 12th , based on a thickness of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article in the measurement under a pressure of 7.64 kPa at a position at which the fiber mass section is arranged, as T1 and on the basis of a thickness of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article in the measurement under the same pressure at a position where no fiber mass section is arranged, as T2 a difference T3 in the thickness defined by an equation T3 = T1 - T2 at most 0.4 mm, preferably at most 0.3 mm, more preferably at most 0.2 mm, and even more preferably 0 (zero) mm. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 , wherein an average coefficient of friction at the position at which the fiber mass section of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is arranged, at least 1.6 and at most 2.5, preferably at least 1.6 and preferably at most 2.4 and more preferably at most Is 2.3. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 14 , wherein a difference between the average coefficient of friction at the position at which the fiber mass section of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is arranged and the mean coefficient of friction at the position at which no fiber mass section of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article is arranged is at most 0.7, preferably at most 0.5, more preferably at most 0.32, even more preferably at least 0.3 and particularly preferably 0 (zero). Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 15 , wherein the fiber mass section is formed in a flattened form, in which the fibers are flattened in the thickness direction of the fleece with a view from the cross section of the fleece in the thickness direction and a surface of the fiber mass section on one side of a fleece surface has a smooth structure. Air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 16 , wherein the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is an outermost layer of the air-through fleece for an absorbent article. Absorbent article, which is the air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 1 to 17th contains. Absorbent article, the air-through fleece for an absorbent article after Claim 17 is arranged in the outermost layer on the skin surface side of the absorbent article and the fiber layer containing the fiber mass section is arranged on the skin surface side. Absorbent article after Claim 18 or 19th , which contains the air-through fleece for an absorbent article as a top sheet. Process for the manufacture of an air-through fleece for an absorbent article, which contains: an opening step in which multiple opening treatments are applied to thermoplastic fibers to form a pile; a step in which a plurality of single-layer sheets obtained in the opening step are laminated to form a laminated pile, and air-through processing by hot air is applied to the laminated pile to obtain an air-through mat; and a calendering step in which calendering is applied to one or more webs selected from the single layer pile, the laminated pile and the air-through nonwoven with the aid of a pair of calender rolls. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 21 , wherein in all steps of the method for producing the air-through fleece for an absorbent article, a linear pressure in the calendering step is the highest among the linear pressures which are exerted on the single-layer pile, the laminated pile and the air-through fleece. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 21 or 22 wherein the calendering step is a pile calendering performed on one or more webs selected from the single layer pile and the laminated pile. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 23 , wherein in the pile calendering step a linear pressure exerted on the single-layer pile or the laminated pile is at least 20 N / cm and at most 700 N / cm, preferably at least 100 N / cm and more preferably at least 180 N / cm and preferably at most 500 N / cm and more preferably at most 250 N / cm. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 21 to 24th , wherein the pair of calender rolls used for the calendering step is a combination of a resin roll and a steel roll. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 25 wherein the hardness of the resin roller is at least 20 degrees and at most 100 degrees, preferably at least 50 degrees and more preferably at least 80 degrees and preferably at most 95 degrees and more preferably at most 90 degrees in D hardness. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 21 to 26 wherein the air-through processing has multiple air-through treatments and wherein a speed of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is faster than a speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 27 wherein the speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment is at least 0.2 m / s and at most 1.2 m / s, preferably at least 0.25 m / s and more preferably at least 0.4 m / s and preferably is at most 0.8 m / s, and more preferably at most 0.5 m / s. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 27 or 28 wherein the speed of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is at least 0.8 m / s and at most 1.6 m / s, preferably at least 0.9 m / s and more preferably at least 1.2 m / s and preferably at most 1.4 m / s and more preferably at most 1.3 m / s. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 27 to 29 , the difference between the speed of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and the speed of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment being above 0 m / s and at most 1.4 m / s, preferably at least 0, 4 m / s and more preferably at least 0.8 m / s and preferably at most 1.2 m / s and more preferably at most 1 m / s. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 21 to 30th wherein the air-through processing has multiple air-through treatments and wherein a temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is higher than a temperature of hot air in the initial air-through treatment. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 31 wherein the temperature of hot air in the initial air-through treatment is at least 85 ° C and at most 134 ° C, preferably at least 90 ° C and more preferably at least 100 ° C, and preferably at most 115 ° C and more preferably at most 105 ° C . Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to Claim 31 or 32 , wherein the temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment is at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used and is at most 145 ° C., preferably at least equal to a melting point of the component on a surface of the fibers to be used Fibers and is preferably at most 137 ° C and more preferably at most 134 ° C. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 31 to 33 , the difference between the temperature of hot air in the initial air-through treatment and the temperature of hot air in the later stage of the air-through treatment being above 0 ° C and at most 60 ° C, preferably at least 20 ° C and more preferred is at least 30 ° C and preferably at most 40 ° C and more preferably at most 35 ° C. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 21 to 34 that includes one or both of the steps: a step of collecting transverse end portions of the pile in the card used in the opening step and a step in which the air-through fleece is partially collected and part of the collected air-through fleece is cut and opened; wherein the collected pile and the cut and opened part of the air-through fleece are provided for the opening step. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 21 to 35 , wherein the laminated pile contains several types of fibers with different fiber diameters. Process for producing an air-through fleece for an absorbent article according to one of the Claims 21 to 36 , wherein the laminated pile contains fine fibers with a fiber diameter of at least 1 dtex and at most 2.2 dtex, preferably at least 1 dtex and more preferably at least 1.2 dtex and preferably at most 2 dtex and more preferably at most 1.5 dtex. A method of manufacturing an absorbent article comprising a step of incorporating the air-through nonwoven for an absorbent article by the manufacturing method according to one of the Claims 21 to 37 is made, contains in an absorbent article. Process for the manufacture of an absorbent article according to Claim 38 , which contains a step of incorporating the air-through fleece for an absorbent article into an absorbent article as a topsheet.

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