JP2001003253A - Nonwoven fabric and absorptive item using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a bulky nonwoven fabric with high flexibility or stretchability, suitable for absorptive items including sanitary goods, disposable diapers and absorptive sheets by designing the nonwoven fabric to consist mainly of specific thermofusible conjugate fibers and by forming thermobonded area and non-thermobonded area in specified proportions. SOLUTION: This nonwoven fabric 5-60 g/cm2 in basis weight is obtained by thermobonding of a web without pressure flattening of the fiber crossover points using a hot air processing machine; in this nonwoven fabric, the web is prepared by blending thermofusible conjugate fibers as the main fibers each composed of low- melting component and high-melting component, e.g. polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate sheath/core-type thermofusible conjugate fibers, with another kind of fibers. This nonwoven fabric thus obtained is such that the total area thereof is made up of 20-80% of thermobonded area and the rest of non-thermobonded area, the stress portion corresponding to 40-60% of the maximum strength of the strength-elongation curve rectangular to the fiber axial direction exhibits a wavy fluctuation >=2% in coefficient of stress variation, drape coefficient is <=0.5, elongation at break is 100-200%, and the following relationship is satisfied: SE2V>=2.70×105 [S is the maximum strength (kgf/5 cm), E is elongation at break (%), and V is specific volume (cm3/g)].

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric, a composite nonwoven fabric using the same, and an absorbent article using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bulky material having excellent flexibility or extensibility. , Non-woven fabrics mainly composed of heat-fusible composite fibers, composite non-woven fabrics and stretch composite sheets using the same, and sanitary products, disposable paper diapers, absorbent sheets, etc. using those non-woven fabrics or stretch composite sheets. It relates to a representative absorbent article.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the diversification of lifestyles, the performance of absorbent articles represented by disposable disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, absorbent sheets and the like has been required to be more sophisticated and multifunctional. I have. For example, disposable disposable diapers
In general, a liquid-permeable surface material, a liquid-impermeable backsheet such as a polyethylene film, and between the surface material and the backsheet, wood pulp cotton, cellulose cotton,
It has an absorbent layer made of cotton, rayon fiber, polymer absorber, etc. for retaining liquid, and also includes components such as side gathers for preventing leakage.

[0003] Among these constituent members, the surface material is required to have not only a quick liquid permeability but also a higher feel and a comfortable feeling when mounted. In addition, the side gathers have a high barrier property that does not leak excreted urine or loose stool,
There is a demand for flexibility and bulkiness in consideration of the texture when the body is in close contact with the body, in addition to the adhesiveness and elasticity that minimize gaps between the body and the body. Nonwoven fabrics are mainly used for such constituent members. Naturally, nonwoven fabrics are required to have more functions and higher performance in order to satisfy such required performance.

[0004] Generally, a heat-fusible conjugate fiber has both a high melting point component and a low melting point component, and is formed on a fiber web.
By heating at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the low melting point component and lower than the melting point of the high melting point component, the contact portions between the fibers are softened or melted and joined to form a nonwoven fabric. The main heating method is to sandwich the fiber web with an embossing roll, etc.
There are a method of flattening a part of the fiber web by pressing, and a method of blowing hot air to the entire fiber web to soften or melt the low melting point component. For the performance required as the surface material of the absorbent article, the former method is to partially press the fiber web, so the crimped portion becomes hard, but at the boundary between the crimped portion and the non-pressed portion, etc. It becomes easy to bend and becomes a nonwoven fabric having some flexibility. However, the bulkiness of the entire nonwoven fabric is almost lost, and
Since the pressure-bonded portion is impermeable to liquid discharged from the human body such as urine and menstrual blood, it is not preferable as a surface material of the absorbent article. On the other hand, the latter method has a bulky property and a cushioning property because the hot air is passed while leaving the bulk of the fiber web, but irregular ridges (horns) easily appear for a certain bending. , Resulting in a nonwoven fabric with poor flexibility. Therefore, conventionally, in a method in which hot air is blown onto a fiber web to soften or melt its low melting point component, a method of spraying the material has been examined, and attempts have been made to obtain a bulky and flexible nonwoven fabric. For example, a method in which a high-pressure and high-speed heated gas is ejected from a plurality of orifices through a porous member to perform heat treatment (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-4795)
No. 8) has been proposed. However, in such a processing method, a sanitary article, a sanitary napkin or a disposable disposable diaper, a commonly used absorbent article represented by an absorbent sheet, etc., in order to obtain a relatively low-weight, low-density nonwoven fabric. In addition, since the heated gas is blown out from the plurality of orifices at a subsonic to supersonic wind speed and blown onto the fiber web, the fiber may be compressed and flattened, and the bulk of the fiber web may be significantly reduced. Further, holes may be formed in the fiber web due to scattering of constituent fibers when hot air is blown.

In recent years, pants-type disposable disposable diapers have recently been widely used, and the number of constituent members has been increased, which has become complicated.
Unlike the conventional tape-type (flat type) disposable diapers, the pants-type disposable disposable diapers are designed to be worn by the wearer while standing, so the elasticity of the disposable diapers is easy to fit. , And at the same time, the adhesiveness to the wearer. In particular, elasticity around the waist has become a more important issue, and an elastic sheet having high elasticity is used for such a member. However, such stretchable sheets have high stretchability but are generally not bulky and often have a sticky surface. Therefore, a nonwoven fabric is bonded to improve the texture (in this case, there are many sandwich-like laminated structures in which an elastic sheet is sandwiched between the nonwoven fabrics). Such a bonded nonwoven fabric has a bulky and good texture, In addition, characteristics such as followability to stretchable materials and extensibility are required.

[0006] In order to satisfy the above-mentioned required characteristics, nonwoven fabrics using heat-fusible conjugate fibers have been widely used and improved. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-117982 proposes a composite sheet in which a nonwoven fabric in which heat-fusible fibers are entangled with each other and an elastic sheet made of a thermoplastic elastomer are thermally bonded by roll processing. But,
Non-woven fabrics in which heat-fusible fibers are entangled with each other have a certain degree of good texture, but the manufacturing process is complicated and the processing speed cannot be increased so much that costs are high.
In addition, bulk of the nonwoven fabric hardly appears due to entanglement of the fibers. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-78436 proposes a stretchable nonwoven fabric obtained by heating and stretching a nonwoven fabric made of a synthetic resin. However, in the same manner as described above, the fibers are entangled or the fibers are pressed using a hot embossing roll. In addition, the surface of the nonwoven fabric may be roughened or fluffed due to stretching, and the texture may be impaired.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. That is, it is to provide a nonwoven fabric which is bulky and has excellent flexibility, or a nonwoven fabric which is bulky and has excellent extensibility. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite nonwoven fabric and an elastic composite sheet using the same. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article using such a nonwoven fabric or a stretchable composite sheet as a part thereof.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, have found that a low wind speed is applied only to an arbitrary portion of a fiber web mainly composed of heat-fusible conjugate fibers. By processing into a non-woven fabric having a heat-bonded region (I) having a large number of intensively heat-bonded portions that are not pressed and flattened and a non-heat-bonded portion (II) through hot air, the bulkiness is maintained. As a result, it was found that a nonwoven fabric having excellent flexibility and extensibility was formed, and the present invention was completed.

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention comprises the following (1) to (1)
It has the configuration of 3). (1) A non-woven fabric mainly composed of a heat-fusible conjugate fiber comprising a low-melting component and a high-melting component, wherein the non-woven fabric comprises a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II). The heat-bonded region (I) is heat-bonded by the heat-fusible conjugate fiber, and the heat-bonded portion has the fiber intersections bonded without the fibers being flattened by compression bonding. The region (II) is a non-heat bonded portion of the nonwoven fabric. (2) The nonwoven fabric according to (1), having a basis weight of 5 to 60 g / m ² . (3) In the strength / elongation curve perpendicular to the fiber flow direction of the non-woven fabric, the stress portion corresponding to 40% to 60% of the maximum strength exhibits waveform fluctuation, as described in the item (1) or (2). Non-woven fabric. (4) The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above items (1) to (3), wherein the stress fluctuation rate of the waveform fluctuation is 2.0% or more. (5) Drape coefficient is 0.5 or less (1)-
The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above items (4). (6) The area ratio of the area of the thermal bonding region (I) to the area of the whole nonwoven fabric is 25 to 80%, and the breaking elongation of the nonwoven fabric is 100% or more (1) to (5). )
Item 14. The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above items. (7) The nonwoven fabric according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the nonwoven fabric has a breaking elongation of 100 to 200%. (8) The maximum strength of the nonwoven fabric is S (kgf / 5cm) and the elongation is E
(%), When the specific volume is V (cm ³ / g), SE ² V ≧ 2.
70 × 10 ⁵ , the nonwoven fabric according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) The high melting point component of the heat-fusible conjugate fiber is polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.
The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above items (8). (10) The nonwoven fabric is made of a blend of heat-fusible conjugate fibers and other fibers (1) to
(9) The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above (9). (11) (1)-
(10) a nonwoven fabric according to any of the above, and another nonwoven fabric;
A composite nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating at least one selected from a film, a pulp sheet, a knitted fabric, and a woven fabric. (12) An elastic composite sheet obtained by laminating the nonwoven fabric according to any one of (1) to (10) and an elastic member sheet of at least one selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber elastomer and a thermoplastic elastomer. . (13) An absorbent article partially using the nonwoven fabric, the composite nonwoven fabric, or the stretchable composite sheet according to any one of (1) to (12).

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The nonwoven fabric of the present invention comprises a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II). In the heat-bonded region (I), fibers are partially concentrated and heat-bonded. The fibers in the thermal bonding region (I) have a large number of portions, and the fiber intersections are thermally bonded without flattening by compression. The fact that the fibers of the thermal bonding region (I) have a large number of portions that are partially concentrated and thermally bonded means that the thermal bonding region (I) formed by passing hot air through an arbitrary portion of the fiber web. Refers to a state in which a large number of intersections and contact portions between fibers are irregularly joined and bonded due to melting of the low melting point component of the constituent fibers.

Further, the fact that the fibers in the heat bonding region (I) are thermally bonded at the fiber intersection points without flattening by compression means that the constituent fibers in the heat bonding region (I) are in the above-mentioned prior art. Heating by contact with a hot embossing roll, etc.
Pressurized to flatten its shape, low-melting point component or high-melting point component melts or softens, and the fibers do not adhere to each other by pressure bonding. Refers to a state in which the low melting point component is bonded and bonded by melting or softening. The non-thermally bonded region (II) is a portion other than the thermally bonded region (I) and refers to a region where the constituent fibers are not thermally bonded.

The heat-bonded region (I) formed on the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is regularly distributed when viewed from a bird's-eye view, and often has a fixed pattern. The same can be said for the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric.
In the heat bonding region (I), the fiber intersections of the heat-fusible conjugate fibers are thermally bonded, and the fiber intersections of the mixed non-heat-fusible fibers are, of course, not thermally bonded.

[0013] However, the fiber intersection of the heat-fusible conjugate fiber and the non-heat-fusible fiber is what is said. In this case, when the fibers are heat-bonded depending on the type of fiber used. Yes, sometimes not. But,
In the heat bonding region (I), since it is necessary to maintain the strength as a nonwoven fabric, most of the fiber intersections need to be thermally bonded, so that the amount of non-heat-fusible fibers to be mixed is limited. There is a need to. Considering such a point, the fact that the heat-fusible fibers are mainly used is preferable, and the amount of the non-heat-fusible fibers mixed is preferably less than 30% by weight.

A portion other than the thermal bonding region (I) becomes a non-thermal bonding region (II).
In the case where a region in which a small amount of the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) are mixed around the thermal bonding region (I) is formed,
That is, the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (I
I) may be adjacent to each other. This is because such detailed considerations may be required depending on the application.

The shape of the heat bonding region (I) depends on the method of passing hot air through the fiber web made of the heat-fusible conjugate fiber, and may be rectangular or rhombic, but is preferably circular. More preferably, it is an elliptical shape having a major axis in a direction perpendicular to the fiber flow direction so as to improve the strength of the nonwoven fabric, but is not limited thereto. The size of the thermal bonding region (I) has to be considered in consideration of the area ratio and the processing method, but in the case of a circular shape, the size is preferably about 1 to 4 mmφ. The arrangement is preferably a staggered pattern, but is not limited to this. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is preferably from ⁵ to 60 g / m ² , more preferably from 15 to 50 g / m ² , and still more preferably from 15 to 30 g / m ^{2, although} it depends on the fiber diameter of the constituent fibers. is there. 5g / weight
When it is at least m ² , the handling becomes very easy, and the strength of the nonwoven fabric is improved, so that the nonwoven fabric becomes more practical.
When the basis weight is 60 g / m ² or less, the density of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric is reduced, so that the degree of freedom of the fibers is increased even in the non-thermally bonded region (II), the processing aptitude is improved, and the flexibility is enhanced.
In addition, when used for an absorbent article, it is also effective in reducing cost and weight.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a nonwoven fabric according to the present invention, which comprises a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II) having a large number of intensively heat-bonded portions without heat-bonding conjugate fibers being flattened. 1 is an overall plan view showing one embodiment of FIG. The thermal bonding region (I) is regularly formed in a staggered pattern in a circular shape.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane X ₁ -X ₁ ′ of FIG. _{1. The} darkly shaded portion is the thermal bonding region (I).
FIG. 3 shows the thermal bonding region (I) formed in an elliptical shape.
FIG. 4 shows a rectangular shape.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the thermal bonding region (I) of FIG. 1. In order to use hot air in forming the thermal bonding region, the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) are used. A portion 3 in which the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) coexist exists at the boundary between. FIG. 6 shows the thermal bonding region (I) of FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity, similar to FIG.
And a portion 3 mixed with the non-thermal bonding region (II). In addition, since the hot air passes through the heat bonding area (I) in a concentrated manner,
The specific volume may be slightly reduced as compared with the non-thermally bonded region (II). FIG. 7 is an overall plan view showing one embodiment of an absorbent article using the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the plane X ₂ -X ₂ ′ of FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing one embodiment of an absorbent article using the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, wherein (a) is an overall plan view thereof, and is covered with a surface material 9. (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X ₃ -X ₃ ′ of (a), and includes a surface material 9, an absorbing layer 10 wrapped with tissue paper 12, and a back sheet 11.

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention is characterized in that a low-velocity hot air is passed through an arbitrary portion of a fiber web made of a heat-fusible conjugate fiber,
The thermal bonding region (I) having a large number of intensively thermally bonded portions is formed. As a method for forming the thermal bonding region (I), an ordinary hot air processing machine (suction band dryer) can be used simply. it can. Generally, a hot air processing machine suctions hot air at a certain temperature from below the conveyor net while blowing it on a self-propelled conveyor net.
It is suitable for processing the heat-fusible conjugate fiber into a bulky nonwoven fabric. For relatively small samples of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention,
It is obtained by inserting a spacer for minimizing the bulk of the fiber web as much as possible, sandwiching it with a porous member (for example, a punching board) having arbitrary holes, and treating it with hot air at a low wind speed. The material of the porous member is not particularly limited as long as it has heat resistance during hot air treatment,
It is common to use a member having a hole in a general-purpose metal plate such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum. In addition, there is a method in which the conveyor of the hot air processing machine is made into a porous type, and a fiber web is placed thereon and treated with hot air, or a method in which the fiber web is sandwiched above and below a porous type conveyor and treated with hot air. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

In the case of processing with a hot air processing machine, the hot air has an amount of heat necessary and sufficient to soften or melt the resin of the sheath component of the heat-fusible conjugate fiber constituting the fiber web, and to increase the bulk of the fiber web. Preferably, the wind speed is low so as not to impair the performance. The wind speed of the hot air is set in consideration of the basis weight of the fiber web, the area ratio of the holes formed in the porous member, the speed of the hot air treatment, and the calorific value of the hot air.
About 20 to 20 m / sec is preferable. In other words, in order to obtain the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the intensively heat-bonded portion is
Methods and processing conditions that greatly reduce the bulk are not preferred. Further, the shape, size, and arrangement of the thermal bonding region (I) can be easily changed by a porous member. The shape of the heat bonding area depends on the method of passing hot air through the fiber web, but when a punching board is used, it is almost determined by the hole shape. Preferably, the shape is a circle, and more preferably, an elliptical shape having a major axis in a direction perpendicular to the fiber flow direction so as to improve the strength of the nonwoven fabric, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, in the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the heat-bonded region (I) and the non-heat-bonded region (II) are formed. Has a high degree of freedom of movement, and has a certain degree of freedom of movement even in the thermal bonding region (I) because the constituent fibers are not compressed and flattened. Therefore, excellent flexibility is exhibited throughout the nonwoven fabric. In addition, excellent extensibility can be expressed, and when bonded to an elastic member sheet,
A nonwoven fabric elongation of 100% or more required to follow the elongation becomes possible.

In order to make the nonwoven fabric of the present invention a nonwoven fabric of high elongation, the area ratio (100 × (I) / ((I) + (II))) of the total area of the heat-bonded region (I) is 25. ~ 80
% Is preferred, and more preferably 30 to 50%. When the area ratio is 25% or more, the heat bonding region (I) increases, the strength of the nonwoven fabric increases, the elongation improves, and the nonwoven fabric has high practicality. In addition, when the area ratio is 80% or less, the non-heat bonding region (II) of the nonwoven fabric increases, so that the degree of freedom of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric increases, the elongation increases, and the nonwoven fabric has excellent flexibility. Is preferable.
Similar to the change in the shape, size, and arrangement of the thermal bonding region (I), the area ratio thereof can be easily changed by the porous member.

The heat-fusible conjugate fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric of the present invention include polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamide fibers such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, and polyacrylonitrile. Acrylic fiber can be used. Particularly, for example, heat-fusible conjugate fibers such as polyester sheath-core type and eccentric type composed of polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate;
It is preferable to use a heat-fusible conjugate fiber such as a polyolefin-based sheath-core type or an eccentric type made of polypropylene or the like, and to mix these mainly. In particular, when trying to obtain a high elongation non-woven fabric with high extensibility, it is composed of polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate, which has relatively high fiber rigidity, makes the non-woven fabric bulky, and tends to give a proper sense of stopping at elongation. It is preferable to use a heat-fusible conjugate fiber such as a polyester-based sheath-core type or an eccentric type. In addition, when the purpose is to impart high flexibility to the nonwoven fabric, preferably, the main component is the polyolefin sheath-core heat-fusible conjugate fiber, which is relatively soft as a fiber, light, and easily heat-treated. It is good to form a fiber web by card method using
It is not limited to this.

The heat-fusible conjugate fiber constituting the nonwoven fabric of the present invention comprises a low melting point component and a high melting point component, and the difference in melting point between the low melting point resin and the high melting point resin is 10 ° C. or more. The combination is also preferable from the viewpoint of the heat-fusing effect. When short fibers are used in the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, a fiber web is formed by a card method or an air laid method, and when long fibers are used, a fiber web is formed by a spun bond method or the like. Further, at the time of forming these fiber webs, a single component fiber, a hollow fiber, or the like may be mixed for the purpose of improving bulkiness and the like. The mixed fiber referred to in the present invention includes mixed fibers of long fibers and mixed fibers of short fibers.

The fiber flow direction (hereinafter MD) of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention
When the strength of the nonwoven fabric is measured in a direction perpendicular to the direction (hereinafter referred to as a CD direction) (hereinafter referred to as a CD direction), similar to other nonwoven fabrics, near the maximum strength, a large amount of stress due to a large amount of peeling, destruction, etc. Although large fluctuations occur and clearly appear in the strength-elongation curve (hereinafter referred to as SS curve), particularly in the case of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the fluctuation in the elongation stress and the wave shape change until reaching the vicinity of the maximum strength. Happens. This phenomenon is 4 to maximum intensity.
It is remarkable in the stress portion corresponding to 0% to 60%, and the waveform fluctuation can be read from the SS curve of the nonwoven fabric. This is a phenomenon that occurs because the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) each having a large number of intensively thermally bonded portions are combined. In other words, at the initial stage of the measurement of the nonwoven fabric strong elongation, the non-thermally bonded region (II) is stretched, and the strength is maintained together with the thermally bonded region (I). In the stressed portion corresponding to 60%, the heat-bonded fiber intersections of the regularly formed heat-bonded region (I) are gradually peeled off in the form of being pulled by the non-heat-bonded region (II). This is because the numerical value of the strength of the nonwoven fabric is increased while causing fluctuations in the waveform of the stress.

As described above, the S in the CD direction of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is
In the −S curve, waveform stress fluctuation is observed at a stress portion corresponding to 40% to 60% of the maximum strength, and the stress fluctuation rate is preferably 2.0% or more. This is because, when the stress fluctuation rate becomes 2.0% or more, the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) having a large number of intensively thermally bonded portions are formed in the nonwoven fabric. This is because a great flexibility can be obtained. Conversely, if the fluctuation rate is much lower than 2.0%, the non-thermally bonded region (II) is reduced, resulting in a hard nonwoven fabric and loss of flexibility.

As a method for measuring the flexibility of a nonwoven fabric, a drape coefficient is typical. This method is based on JIS L1
096 G method. The drape factor is
It measures the drapability of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric is spread on a cylindrical base, and the projected area is measured. The higher the drapability, the smaller the numerical value. As described above, in the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the heat bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) are formed, and the non-thermal bonding region (II) is not thermally bonded to the constituent fibers. The degree of freedom of the fibers is high, and even in the thermal bonding region (I), the constituent fibers are not compressed and flattened, and thus have a certain degree of freedom. Accordingly, excellent flexibility is exhibited throughout the nonwoven fabric, and the value can be set to 0.5 or less, which is a numerical value indicating high flexibility. The specific volume is calculated as a numerical value representing the bulkiness of the nonwoven fabric. If this value is high, it can be said that the nonwoven is low density and bulky.

Since the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is mainly composed of heat-fusible conjugate fibers, it can be easily bonded or bonded to other materials or combined with other materials by heat bonding or the like. Depending on the purpose of the use form including the absorbent article, it can be laminated with at least one selected from other nonwoven fabrics, films, pulp sheets, knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, etc. to obtain a multifunctional composite nonwoven fabric.

Further, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention or
By effectively disposing the composite nonwoven fabric on the absorbent article, it is possible to provide a bulky and excellent flexibility which was not obtained by the conventional technology, and to provide an absorbent article having a good feeling. Become. In the case of disposable disposable diapers, a nonwoven fabric of the present invention may be used as a surface material, a pulp aggregate wrapped with tissue paper may be laminated as an absorbent layer, and a polyethylene film may be laminated as a backsheet, and integrated by heat bonding or the like. In this case, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, as a surface material that directly touches the wearer of the disposable disposable diaper, has a bulky and excellent flexibility, has a high-handed cushioning property, and is resistant to kinking and breaking when worn. On the other hand, irregular ridges (horns) do not occur, only the surface material does not float, and as an integrated absorbent article, it does not cause discomfort to the wearer, and as an absorbent article Can demonstrate performance.

The elastic sheet to be bonded to the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is at least one selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber elastomer and a thermoplastic elastomer, and specifically includes natural rubber, various synthetic rubbers such as polyethylene. Terephthalate-block-polytetramethylene glycol,
There are nonwoven fabrics and films made of a polyester elastomer that is polybutylene phthalate-block-polytetramethylene glycol. Further, there are nonwoven fabrics and films made of a polyurethane elastomer made of polyether-ester polyol and a polyolefin elastomer made of ethylene propylene rubber mixed with ethylene vinyl acetate. When the stretchable sheet is a nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric is generally formed by a melt blow method, and may be a nonwoven fabric such as a spun bond method or a flash spinning method, and is not particularly limited. The selection may be made in consideration of necessary strength, expansion and contraction, heat and light resistance, chemical resistance and the like.

The bonding of the nonwoven fabric and the stretchable sheet for forming the stretchable composite sheet can be performed with a synthetic resin adhesive without stretching the stretchable sheet. For example, there is an adhesive mainly composed of polyolefin, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylic or the like, but is not particularly limited. The application of the adhesive is preferably performed in the form of dots in order to take advantage of the elongation of the high elongation non-woven fabric, and the point (size of application) is preferably 1 mm or less, and is preferably applied in accordance with the heat bonding region (I). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Since the nonwoven fabric of the present invention to be bonded has a high stretch following property to the stretchable sheet, it is possible to bond the stretchable sheet not in the stretched state but in the state before the stretch when bonding as in the related art. . Therefore, since pleats cannot be wrinkled, the appearance is good, and the risk of rash or the like due to contact with the wearer is reduced.

In the case of a pants-type disposable disposable diaper for children, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention and an elastic member sheet of at least one selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber elastomer and a thermoplastic elastomer are stuck together to form a waistline. Can be exemplified. In this case, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, as a member that directly touches the wearer of the disposable disposable diaper, has a bulky and excellent extensibility as well as a high-handed cushioning property. It can be extended sufficiently and can be easily and safely mounted.
It looks better and can be considered by children who have begun to be aware of the ego, as if they were close to regular pants.

The present inventors analyzed a number of commercially available pants-type children's disposable diapers and examined the extensibility of the elastic member around the waist. As a result, they found that 100% elongation was sufficient. Was. It was also found that the extensibility is inappropriate even if the elongation is too high, and that when the elongation exceeds 200%, there is a case where there is anxiety about the elongation. The nonwoven fabric of the present invention has an extensibility of 100% or more, has a natural sense of stopping the elongation, and also has good productivity and is a safe material.
Since it is bulky and the texture is good, it was confirmed that the utility was very high.

Further, the elongation (E%) and strength (S
kgf / 5 cm) and bulkiness (specific volume, Vcm ³ / g) are preferably in a range in which the above variables satisfy the following relational expression (see Table 2). The meaning of this formula is that the nonwoven fabric according to the present invention maintains elongation, strength, and bulkiness at the same time at a high level, and elongation is particularly important. SE ² V ≧ 2.70 × 10 ⁵

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention can be exemplified as an elastic member around the waist of a paper diaper not only for children but also for adults. In addition, spunbonded nonwoven fabric, SM nonwoven fabric in which spunbonded nonwoven fabric (S) and meltblown nonwoven fabric (M) are integrated, or spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric as side gathers for preventing side leakage of ordinary absorbent articles A composite nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating an SMS nonwoven fabric integrated with a / spunbonded nonwoven fabric structure and the nonwoven fabric of the present invention can be exemplified. In this case, the spunbonded nonwoven fabric, the SM nonwoven fabric, or the SMS nonwoven fabric supplement the strength and barrier properties of the nonwoven fabric, and the nonwoven fabric of the present invention provides a tight and flexible feeling of cushioning around the wearer of the absorbent article. it can.

When the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is disposed as a surface material of absorbent articles such as disposable disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, absorbent sheets, etc., it is preferable that the nonwoven fabric has rapid liquid permeability. For example, when the property is insufficient, it is preferable to impart a liquid permeability by performing a chemical fiber surface modification with a surfactant or the like. When the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is disposed on a member requiring water repellency or hydrophobicity, such as a waist elastic member or a side gather, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention may have high water repellency or hydrophobicity. Preferably, when the water repellency or hydrophobicity is insufficient, it is preferable to impart a water repellency or hydrophobicity by performing a chemical fiber surface modification with a surfactant or the like.

[0037]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. The evaluation method and evaluation procedure are shown below.

(1) Non-woven fabric strength and elongation and stress fluctuation rate The strength and elongation of the non-woven fabric are measured in accordance with the tensile test specified in L1906 of JIS method. As the measurement sample, a sample cut to 150 mm x 50 mm with the direction perpendicular to the fiber arrangement direction of the nonwoven fabric (CD direction) as the longitudinal direction is used. (Procedure) Using the “Autograph AG500D” manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, the nonwoven fabric strong elongation was measured under the following conditions, and the SS was measured.
Get the curve chart. Pulling speed 100 mm / min Gripping width 100 mm Chart output of SS curve X-axis (direction of elongation): 0.
5% / mm Y axis (intensity direction): 4 g / mm From the SS curve, connect a point on the SS curve corresponding to 40% of the maximum intensity and a point corresponding to 60% with a straight line to check for waveform fluctuation. I do. When there is a waveform variation, the maximum variation value (Δk) of the stress from the stress value (k) on the straight line is read, and a stress variation rate (f) which is a ratio to the stress is calculated according to the following equation (unit: %). f = Δk / k × 100

(2) Drape coefficient The following equipment was used in this measurement. Drape stand: diameter 64mm, height 100mm, weight 7
6 g of a cylindrical molded body using heat-fusible conjugate fibers having a sheath component of polyethylene and a core component of polypropylene. Weight: 64 mm in diameter, 2 g in weight CCD camera: "FCD-10" manufactured by Ikegami A measurement sample cut into a circle having a diameter of 20.8 mm is used.

(Measurement procedure) According to JIS L1096 G method (drape coefficient). The measurement sample is placed on a drape stand (at this time, the centers are aligned). The weight is placed on the measurement sample (similarly, the center of the weight is aligned with the center of the measurement sample and the drape table). In this state, the whole is moved up and down three times, and then left for 1 minute. Then, the projected area from directly above is measured using a CCD camera. For each sample, the front and back sides are measured, the average value is determined, and the drape coefficient D is calculated according to the following equation. At this time, the projected area from directly above is Ad, the area of the drape table is S1, and the area of the measurement sample is S2. It can be said that the drape coefficient D is harder as it approaches 1.0, and the drape property is higher as it approaches 0. D = (Ad-S1) / (S2-S1)

(3) Area Ratio Observing the surface of the nonwoven fabric, measuring the area of the heat bonding region (I) where the constituent fibers are partially concentrated and thermally bonded, and calculating the area ratio with respect to the total area of the measurement sample. calculate. The measurement sample used is cut into 100 mm x 100 mm. (Measurement procedure) OMRON “3D Digital F
ine Scope VC2400-IMU Ver.
Using “2.3”, the front and back of the measurement sample are observed, and the area of the thermal bonding region (I) is measured. Calculate the average value of the front and back (%).

(4) Specific volume The specific volume v is calculated according to the following equation (unit: cm ³ /
g). The weight of the nonwoven fabric is set to w (g / m ² ), and a load of 2 g /
The thickness of the nonwoven fabric measured under the conditions of cm ² and a measurement speed of 2 mm / sec is defined as t (mm). v = t / w × 1000

Example 1 A heat-fusible conjugate fiber in which the sheath component is polyethylene having a melting point of 130 ° C. and the core component is polypropylene having a melting point of 162 ° C. The fineness is 2 denier / filament, and the cut length is 51 mm. This was used as a constituent fiber, and a fiber web was formed by a card method. Place this fiber web on a conveyor net and surround it with a 1.0 mm high spacer.
KOTOBUKI with a circular hole of 2 mm covered with a punching board that is opened in a staggered pattern at 2 mm intervals.
Co. , Ltd. Processing temperature 140 ° C, processing time 12sec using "DB-182 type" hot air processing machine
c, hot air is passed at a wind speed of 1.2 m / sec.
A nonwoven fabric having a thermal bonding area (I) and a non-thermal bonding area (II) as shown in FIG. 1 was obtained at 5 g / m ² .

Example 2 A heat-fusible composite fiber in which the sheath component is polyethylene having a melting point of 130 ° C. and the core component is polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 253 ° C. The fineness is 2 denier / filament, and the cut length is 51 mm. Non-woven fabric having a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II) as shown in FIG. I got

Example 3 Copolymer polypropylene whose sheath component has a melting point of 138 ° C.
A heat-fusible conjugate fiber whose core component is polypropylene having a melting point of 162 ° C., having a fineness of 1.8 denier / filament and a cut length of 38 mm is a constituent fiber.
A non-woven fabric having a thermal bonding region (I) and a non-thermal bonding region (II) as shown in FIG. 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the processing temperature was 145 ° C.

Example 4 A punching board covering a fiber web was 4.0 m in length.
m, except that the elliptical holes with a minor axis of 2.0 mm were staggered at 1.5 mm in the major axis direction and 2 mm in the minor axis direction with the major axis in the CD direction. In the same manner as in Example 1, the thermal bonding region (I) as shown in FIG.
And a nonwoven fabric having a non-thermally bonded region (II).

Example 5 A thermal bonding area (I) and a non-thermal bonding area (II) as shown in FIG. 3 were formed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that the punching board used in Example 4 was used. Was obtained.

[0048] In the same manner as in Example 1 of Example 6 above, Figure 1 of the basis weight 50 g / m ²
As a result, a nonwoven fabric having a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II) was obtained.

Example 7 A combination of polyethylene having a melting point of 129 ° C. and polypropylene having a melting point of 164 ° C. was subjected to composite spinning by a spun bond method.
A sheath-core type heat-fusible composite long fiber web was obtained. Its fineness was 1.0 denier / filament. The obtained long fiber web was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a basis weight of 5 g.
/ M ² , a long-fiber nonwoven fabric having a thermal bonding region (I) and a non-thermal bonding region (II) as shown in FIG. 1 was obtained.

Example 8 A heat-fusible composite fiber in which the sheath component is polyethylene having a melting point of 130 ° C. and the core component is polypropylene having a melting point of 162 ° C. The fineness is 2 denier / filament, and the cut length is 51 mm. In addition, a polypropylene fiber having a melting point of 162 ° C. and a fineness of 2 denier / filament,
A cut length of 40 mm was mixed with 15 wt%, and this was used as a constituent fiber, in the same manner as in Example 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 1 for a thermal bonding region (I) and a non-thermal bonding region (II).
Was obtained.

[0051] In the same manner as in Example 1 of Example 9 above, Figure 1 having a basis weight of 70 g / m ²
As a result, a nonwoven fabric having a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II) was obtained.

The nonwoven fabrics of Examples 1 to 9 were cut in accordance with the measurement method to prepare measurement samples. Using these measurement samples, the strength and elongation of the nonwoven fabric in the CD direction are measured,
From the measurement results, it was confirmed whether or not there was a waveform variation in a portion corresponding to 40% to 60% of the maximum intensity of the SS curve. When waveform fluctuation was observed, the stress fluctuation rate was measured. In addition, the drape coefficient and the specific volume were measured. Table 1 shows the results.

Comparative Example 1 A processing temperature of 133 ° C. and a processing time of 12 seconds were applied to the entire fiber web without using a punching board and a spacer.
c, except that hot air was passed under the conditions of a wind velocity of 0.8 m / sec, and a substantially non-woven fabric was obtained in substantially the same manner as in Example 1 above.

Comparative Example 2 A processing temperature of 129 ° C. and a processing time of 12 seconds were applied to the entire fiber web without using a punching board and a spacer.
c, except that hot air was passed under the conditions of a wind speed of 0.8 m / sec.

Comparative Example 3 A processing temperature of 142 ° C. and a processing time of 12 seconds were applied to the entire fiber web without using a punching board and a spacer.
c, except that hot air was passed under the conditions of a wind speed of 1.2 m / min.

Comparative Example 4 Using the same constituent fibers as in Example 1, a fiber web having a basis weight of 25 g / m ² was obtained by a card method. This fiber web was placed on a conveyor net, covered with the same punching board as in Example 1 without using a spacer, and had a hole diameter of 0.7 mm.
130 nozzles per hole on the punching board
A hot air at a temperature of 200 ° C. was blown out at a wind speed of 200 m / min for 1 second, and the fiber web was subjected to a heat treatment while being sucked on the back side of the conveyor net. However, a part of the web in the hole of the punching board was scattered, and the hole was opened. Also,
The remaining adhesive part was also crushed by wind pressure and pressed, which was inappropriate for use as a measurement sample.

The nonwoven fabrics of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were cut in accordance with the measurement method to prepare measurement samples. Using these measurement samples, the strength and elongation of the nonwoven fabric in the CD direction are measured,
From the measurement result, 40% of the maximum strength of the SS curve
Confirm the presence or absence of waveform fluctuations in the portion corresponding to 60%,
When waveform fluctuation was observed, the stress fluctuation rate was measured. In addition, the drape coefficient and the specific volume were measured. Table 1 shows the results.
Shown in

[0058]

[Table 1]

Consider the evaluation results shown in Table 1. When Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were compared, a non-woven fabric using the same heat-fusible conjugate fiber had substantially the same non-woven fabric strength and specific volume values, and had the same bulkiness.
Indicates that the numerical value of the drape coefficient is low and the flexibility is excellent.

Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, Example 3 and Comparative Example 3
Similarly, it can be seen that the nonwoven fabrics of Examples 2 and 3 have excellent flexibility. Also, from the results in Table 1, Comparative Example 1
Nos. 3 to 3 show that there is no waveform variation in the SS curve, and that they exhibit different physical properties in which the thermal bonding region (I) and the non-thermal bonding region (II) do not exist essentially like the nonwoven fabric of the present invention. I understand.

In Examples 4 and 5, the shape of the heat-bonded region (I) having a large number of portions that are partially concentrated and thermally bonded was extended in the CD direction to improve the strength of the nonwoven fabric. It is understood that the flexibility is maintained, and a nonwoven fabric meeting various needs can be provided by variously changing the shape, processing conditions, and the like.

In Examples 6 and 7, the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric was 5 to 5.
The effect is high in the range of 60 g / m ² . Example 1 and Example 6 are nonwoven fabrics using the same heat-fusible conjugate fiber as Example 9, but the specific volume is significantly increased and the drape coefficient is reduced by setting the basis weight to 60 g / m ² or less. Smaller and more flexible. Therefore, 60 g
It can be said that a basis weight of / m ² or less is very preferable.

In the case of Example 8, although the non-woven fabric is obtained by mixing short fibers of a single component, it can be seen that the flexibility is further improved. With this, mainly the heat-fusible conjugate fiber,
It can be seen that a multifunctional nonwoven fabric can be provided by mixing other single component fibers, hollow fibers, and the like.

From these, it can be seen that the nonwoven fabrics of Examples 1 to 8 are particularly excellent in flexibility, and have high versatility and applicability.

Example 10 A long web of the same constituent fibers as in Example 7 was laminated on a fiber web of the same constituent fibers as in Example 8, and the same heat treatment as shown in FIG. A composite nonwoven fabric having a bonding region (I) and a non-thermal bonding region (II) was obtained. This composite nonwoven fabric had the high nonwoven fabric strength of a long-fiber nonwoven fabric formed by a spunbonding method while utilizing the bulkiness of the fiber web formed by the card method, and had excellent flexibility.

EXAMPLE 11 The sheath component was polyethylene having a melting point of 130 ° C., and the core component was polypropylene having a melting point of 162 ° C.
The same configuration as in Example 1 above, on an air-laid nonwoven fabric (80 g / m ² ) in which the filament and the heat-fusible conjugate fiber having a cut length of 5 mm are 30% by weight and the pulp is 70% by weight as constituent fibers. Laminate fiber web of fiber,
A composite nonwoven fabric was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Although this composite nonwoven fabric was thick, it did not generate irregular ridges (horns) with respect to bending, was flexible, and was rich in cushioning properties. In addition, the nonwoven fabric surface of the airlaid nonwoven fabric was covered with a nonwoven fabric having a thermal bonding region (I) and a non-thermal bonding region (II) as shown in FIG. .

As described above, from the tenth embodiment and the eleventh embodiment,
The nonwoven fabric of the present invention can be easily laminated with other nonwoven fabrics and the like by heat treatment, and also as a composite nonwoven fabric, without deteriorating its flexibility, making use of the characteristics and characteristics of the partner of the composite,
It can be seen that the composite nonwoven fabric has higher performance.

Example 12 A pulp sheet (240) wrapped with tissue paper as an absorbent layer under the nonwoven fabric of Example 1 as a surface material
g / m ² ), and an absorbent article a as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. With the same structure, an absorbent article b in which the nonwoven fabric of Comparative Example 1 was disposed on the surface material was produced. For the absorbent articles a and b, folding evaluation (evaluating how to fold the whole into three parts and evaluating how to fold) and torsion in the longitudinal direction (evaluating the degree of twisting as a whole) were performed. In the fold evaluation, the absorbent article a had no noticeable folds and no fold marks, but the absorbent article b had an irregular ridge (horn), and the surface material was partially folded. Some traces remained. In the torsion evaluation, the absorbent body a had relatively small breaks in the longitudinal direction in a state in which the surface material was well-adhered to the whole, but the absorbent article b had
The surface material was lifted by the torsion, and a relatively large break occurred.

Thus, the absorbent article a in which the non-woven fabric of Example 1 is disposed on the surface material is excellent in flexibility, is integrated as an absorbent article, and is effective against kinks and breaks. Understand.

Example 13 A heat-fusible conjugate fiber in which the sheath component is polyethylene having a melting point of 130 ° C. and the core component is polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 253 ° C. The fineness is 2 denier / filament, and the cut length is 51 mm. Was used as a constituent fiber, and a fiber web was formed by a card method. The fiber web was surrounded by a spacer having a height of 1.0 mm and covered with a punching board, and KOTOBUKI Co. , Ltd. Processing temperature 138 ° C, processing time 12 sec, wind speed 1.9 m / sec using “DB-182 type” hot air processing machine
When hot air was passed under the condition of c, circular thermal bonding regions (I) having a diameter of 3.6 mm as shown in FIG. 1 were formed in a staggered arrangement at 1.4 mm intervals. The basis weight of this nonwoven fabric is 22 g /
At m ² , the distribution area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) was 40%.

Example 14 The same procedure as described above was carried out except that the hole diameter of the punching board was changed to form a circular thermal bonding region (I) having a diameter of 2.8 mm and a spacing of 2.2 mm as shown in FIG. A nonwoven fabric was obtained in the same manner as in Example 13. The area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) is 25
%Met.

Example 15 The same procedure as described above was carried out except that the hole diameter of the punching board was changed to form a circular heat-bonding area (I) having a diameter of 4.5 mm and an interval of 0.5 mm as shown in FIG. A nonwoven fabric was obtained in the same manner as in Example 13. The area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) is 80
%Met.

EXAMPLE 16 The hole diameter and hole shape of the punching board were changed to form an ellipse having a major axis of 4.2 mm and a minor axis of 3.0 mm as shown in FIG. A nonwoven fabric was obtained in the same manner as in Example 13 except that the thermal bonding regions (I) were formed in a staggered arrangement at an interval of 0.8 mm and 2 mm in the minor axis direction. The area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) was 40%.

Example 17 The same heat-fusible conjugate fiber as in Example 13 had a melting point of 254 ° C.
15 denier staple fibers having a fineness of 2 denier / filament and a cut length of 51 mm.
w% wool blended to form a constituent fiber, and the hole diameter of the punching board was changed to form a circular thermal bonding area (I) having a diameter of 4.0 mm and a spacing of 1.0 mm as shown in FIG. In the same manner as in Example 13, a nonwoven fabric was obtained. The area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) was 50%.

Example 18 A nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 22 g / m ² was obtained in the same manner as in Example 13 described above. Because the hole diameter of the punching board was changed,
The thermal bonding region (I) was a circular shape having a diameter of 2.7 mm and an interval of 2.3 mm as shown in FIG. The area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) was 23%.

The nonwoven fabrics of Examples 13 to 18 were cut in accordance with the measurement method to prepare measurement samples. Using these measurement samples, the measurement of the strength and elongation of the nonwoven fabric in the CD direction and the measurement of the specific volume were performed. Table 2 shows the results.

[0077]

[Table 2]

Comparative Example 5 A processing temperature of 133 ° C. and a processing time of 12 seconds were applied to the entire fiber web without using a punching board or spacer.
c, except that hot air was passed under the conditions of a wind speed of 1.5 m / sec. The area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) is almost 1
00%.

Comparative Example 6 Fineness: 2 denier / filament containing polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 254 ° C., cut length: 51 mm
Using the short fiber of the above, a fiber web was formed by a card method and subjected to water needle processing to obtain a nonwoven fabric with a fiber entanglement of 30 g / m ² . Water needle processing uses a nozzle with a nozzle diameter of 0.1 mm and a nozzle pitch of 1.0 mm, and a conveyor speed of 20 m.
After pretreatment twice at a water pressure of 20 kg / cm ^{2 at} a pressure of 20 kg / min, entanglement treatment was performed four times at a water pressure of 50 kg / cm ² .

The nonwoven fabrics of Comparative Example 5 and Comparative Example 6 were cut in accordance with the measurement method to prepare measurement samples. Using these measurement samples, the non-woven fabric strength and elongation measurement in the CD direction and the specific volume were measured. Table 2 shows the results.

Consider the evaluation results shown in Table 2. When Example 13 was compared with Comparative Example 5, the nonwoven fabric using the same heat-fusible conjugate fiber had almost the same nonwoven fabric strength and specific volume values, and had the same bulkiness. It is clear that the degree is large and the extensibility is excellent.

Examples 14 and 15 show that the elongation is large when the distribution area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) of the nonwoven fabric is in the range of 25 to 80%. These examples are described in Example 18.
In the case of the non-woven fabric using the same heat-fusible conjugate fiber as in Example 13, the strength of the non-woven fabric was significantly improved when the distribution area ratio of the heat-bonded region (I) was 25% or more. The degree is also improving. Therefore, it is particularly preferable that the distribution area ratio of the thermal bonding region (I) is 25% or more and 80% or less.

In Example 16, the non-woven fabric strength was improved by extending the shape of the heat-bonded region (I) having a large number of heat-bonded portions that were partially concentrated in the CD direction, while maintaining the extensibility. It can be seen that a high elongation nonwoven fabric that meets various needs can be provided by variously changing the shape, processing conditions, and the like of the thermal bonding region (I).

In the case of Example 17, the non-woven fabric was obtained by blending short fibers of a single component, and it can be seen that the bulkiness was further improved. Thus, it can be understood that a multifunctional nonwoven fabric can be provided by mixing other single component fibers, hollow fibers, and the like mainly with the heat-fusible conjugate fiber.

From these results, it can be seen that the nonwoven fabrics of Examples 13 to 17 are particularly excellent in flexibility, and have high versatility and applicability.

Example 19 A laminated stretchable composite sheet was obtained by using a polyolefin-based hot melt agent in a manner sandwiching a melt-blown non-woven fabric made of a polyurethane elastomer with the non-woven fabric obtained in Example 13. This stretch composite sheet had a good texture due to the bulkiness of the fiber web formed by the card method, had elasticity due to the polyurethane elastomer, and had excellent flexibility.

Thus, from Example 19, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention can be easily laminated with other nonwoven fabrics and the like.
It can be seen that the stretchable composite sheet is also a bulky, well-textured, highly functional and highly practical stretchable composite sheet without impairing its stretchability.

Example 20 Pulp sheet (240 g) wrapped with tissue paper
/ M ² ) was bonded to a polyethylene film to form an absorbent layer, and the stretchable composite sheet obtained in Example 19 was disposed as a waist-stretchable elastic material to form an absorbent article c as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Was prepared. For the absorbent article c, a functional elasticity test was performed assuming that the absorbent article c was attached. In the sensory elasticity test, both hands were put in the waist circumference portion of the absorbent article c and spread to the left and right, and the degree of expansion and contraction was organoleptically evaluated. As a result, the elastic material had a sufficient elasticity and a moderate feeling of stopping the elongation, and the elastic material had a good touch to the hand, and had a high texture not found in commercially available disposable diapers.

Thus, it can be seen that the absorbent article c of Example 20 in which the stretchable composite sheet of Example 19 was disposed as a waist elastic member is effective.

[0090]

Industrial Applicability The nonwoven fabric of the present invention can provide a nonwoven fabric which is bulky and has a balance of flexibility, high elongation and strength, which has not been obtained before.
By laminating the non-woven fabric of the present invention with a stretchable sheet made of another non-woven fabric or elastomer, the non-woven fabric of the present invention has the bulkiness, flexibility, elongation and strength, as well as the characteristics and characteristics of the lamination partner. The present invention can provide a highly functional composite nonwoven fabric and a stretch composite sheet utilizing the above. Furthermore, by arranging the nonwoven fabric or the stretchable composite sheet of the present invention in a part thereof, it is possible to provide a soft and high-feel absorbent article having bulkiness and excellent extensibility.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of a nonwoven fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line X ₁ -X ₁ ′ in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a nonwoven fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a heat bonding region is provided in an elliptical shape.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a nonwoven fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a heat bonding region is provided in a rectangular shape.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a thermal bonding region in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a thermal bonding region in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an overall plan view showing an example of an absorbent article using the nonwoven fabric of the present invention as a surface material thereof.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line X2-X2 ′ in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an overall plan view showing an example of an absorbent article using the nonwoven fabric of the present invention as a surface material.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line X ₃ -X ₃ ′ of the absorbent article in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 thermal bonding area 2 non-thermal bonding area 3 part where thermal bonding area and non-thermal bonding area are mixed 4 elastic material around waist 5 back sheet 6 surface material 7 side gather 8 absorption layer 9 surface material 10 absorption layer 11 back Sheet 12 tissue paper

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // A61F 13/511 13/15

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A non-woven fabric mainly comprising a heat-fusible conjugate fiber comprising a low-melting component and a high-melting component, wherein the non-woven fabric comprises a heat-bonded region (I) and a non-heat-bonded region (II). The heat-bonded region (I) is thermally bonded by a heat-fusible conjugate fiber, and the heat-bonded portion is bonded at a fiber intersection without flattening the fiber by pressure bonding. A non-woven fabric characterized in that the heat-bonded region (II) is a portion where heat bonding is not performed. 2. The weight per unit area is 5 to 60 g / m ^2.
2. The nonwoven fabric according to 1. 3. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein a stress portion corresponding to 40% to 60% of the maximum strength exhibits a waveform variation in a strength-elongation curve perpendicular to the fiber flow direction of the nonwoven fabric. 4. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein a stress fluctuation rate of the waveform fluctuation is 2.0% or more. 5. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, having a drape coefficient of 0.5 or less. 6. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the area ratio of the area of the thermal bonding region (I) to the total area of the nonwoven fabric is 25 to 80%, and the breaking elongation of the nonwoven fabric is 100% or more.
The nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The nonwoven fabric has an elongation at break of 100 to 200%.
The nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. When the maximum strength of the nonwoven fabric is S (kgf / 5 cm), the elongation is E (%), and the specific volume is V (cm ³ / g), SE ² V
The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein ≧ 2.70 × 10 ⁵ . 9. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the high melting point component of the heat-fusible conjugate fiber is polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. 10. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven fabric is made of a blend of heat-fusible conjugate fibers and other fibers. 11. A nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and another nonwoven fabric, film, pulp sheet, knitted fabric,
And a composite nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating at least one selected from woven fabrics. 12. An elastic composite sheet comprising the nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 and an elastic member sheet of at least one selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber elastomer and a thermoplastic elastomer. 13. An absorbent article partially using the nonwoven fabric, the composite nonwoven fabric, or the stretchable composite sheet according to claim 1.