JP5674454B2 - Non-woven fabric and absorbent article using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric and an absorbent article using the same.

  Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, disposable diapers, etc., depending on the function, those provided with a protruding part on one side of the sheet material, those provided with a ridged part, many Products with small holes have been developed. For example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a large number of frustoconical protrusions protruding on one side of the sheet. Thereby, it is supposed that it can be set as the sheet material which has cushioning properties suitable for a surface sheet. Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a sheet material having irregularities or undulations in which a large number of small holes are provided. Thereby, it is supposed that various physical properties as a surface sheet improve. Patent Document 4 discloses a laminated sheet in which one side of a sheet material is a protruding portion extending in a streak shape, and the cross-section thereof is a kamaboko (substantially semicircular) shape. Thereby, it is supposed that it can be used, for example as a cushioning surface sheet.

JP 2008-28962 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-137258 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-246321 JP 2008-25081 A

The inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive research and development for the purpose of providing a non-woven fabric having a form different from that described above and capable of imparting a property different from the conventional one and a better function. Specifically, the production of a non-woven fabric which has portions protruding on both the front and back surfaces as well as on one side of the sheet material and has no holes in the surface was studied.
In view of the above points, the present invention is suitable for use as a top sheet or the like, which has good liquid draw-in properties, has a soft cushioning property and returns well when pressed, and is particularly excellent in excrement collection. An object is to provide a nonwoven fabric that can be used.

A plurality of first projecting portions projecting to the first surface side and second projecting portions projecting to the second surface side alternately in two directions, ie, the first direction and the second direction within the surface, through the wall portion. A non-woven fabric which is spread and continuous, wherein the wall portion forms an annular structure, and the fiber density (r ₁ ) of the first protrusion is lower than the fiber density (r ₂ ) of the second protrusion.

  The non-woven fabric of the present invention has good liquid drawability, soft cushioning properties, good return when pressed, and particularly excellent excretion collecting ability, and can be suitably used as a surface sheet or the like.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the surface sheet in one Embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the nonwoven fabric of this invention by a partial cross section. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the area | region II in the nonwoven fabric of FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the III-III line cross section in the nonwoven fabric of FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the IV-IV line cross section in the nonwoven fabric of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between a 1st protrusion part and a 2nd protrusion part by planar view. It is explanatory drawing which expand | deploys and shows the state of the fiber orientation of a wall part typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the state of the fiber orientation of a 2nd protrusion part by planar view. It is a drawing substitute photograph which imaged the cross section corresponding to the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 2 of the sheet | seat produced in the Example. It is a drawing substitute photograph which imaged the cross section of a state when the sheet | seat shown in FIG. 8 was pressed in the thickness (T) direction. It is the drawing substitute photograph imaged from the 1st surface side of the sheet | seat produced in the Example. It is a perspective view showing typically the diaper of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view schematically showing a main part of a surface sheet of an absorbent article which is a preferred embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention. 2 is an enlarged view of region II in the nonwoven fabric of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing a cross section taken along line III-III and a line IV-IV, respectively. The nonwoven fabric 10 is preferably applied to a surface sheet of an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a disposable diaper, and the first surface side z ₁ (see FIG. 2) is used toward the skin surface of the wearer. it is preferable to use by placing the second adhesive surface z ₂ to the article inside of the absorber (not shown) side. Hereinafter, although it explains considering the embodiment which uses the 1st surface side toward the wearer's skin surface as mentioned above of nonwoven fabric 10 shown in the above-mentioned drawing, the present invention is limited and interpreted by this Absent.

The nonwoven fabric 10 of this embodiment has a continuous structure in the surface direction. This “continuous” means that there are no intermittent portions or small holes. However, micropores such as interfiber pores are not included in the small holes. When distinguishing this, for example, a small hole can be defined as having a circle equivalent diameter of 1 mm or more. The term “continuous” includes a laminated sheet. In the present embodiment, a single-layer sheet that is not laminated is shown as a preferred embodiment. Further, the meaning of the word “continuous” can also be expressed as the surface on the first surface side z ₁ and the surface on the second surface side z ₂ of the nonwoven fabric being substantially continuous. The term “substantially continuous” here means that, as described above, a small hole may be provided without a small hole as long as the effect of the present invention is not impaired.

  On the first surface side of the nonwoven fabric 10 of the present embodiment, a large number of first protrusions 1 are arranged to extend in an oblique relationship in the plane in two vertical and horizontal directions (hereinafter, this arrangement is referred to as an oblique lattice). Sometimes referred to as an array of shapes). The lattice arrangement may be orthogonal (90 °), and in that case, the lattice arrangement may be distinguished as an orthogonal lattice arrangement. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the first direction (x) and the second direction (y) (see FIG. 5) in the plane intersect at an angle of 30 ° to 90 °. Furthermore, in this embodiment, many 2nd protrusion parts 2 which protrude in the 2nd surface side of a nonwoven fabric are formed. The second protrusions 2 are also arranged in an oblique grid pattern, but may be an orthogonal grid pattern. Since the preferable range of the crossing angle is determined along with the first protrusion 1, it is the same as described above. The first projecting portion 1 and the second projecting portion 2 project in directions opposite to each other with respect to the sheet surface. In addition, they are arranged alternately in a relationship that is not in the same position in both a plan view and a side view, that is, there is no overlap.

  As described above, the first projecting portion 1 and the second projecting portion 2 that are arranged to extend in the first direction (x direction) and the second direction (y direction) in the plane are continuous in a planar manner without contradiction. The nonwoven fabric 10 is comprised. Here, “continuous without contradiction” means that when a specific shape portion is continuous and becomes planar, it is not refracted or discontinuous, and the whole is continuous with a gentle curved surface. In addition, the arrangement | sequence form of the said 1st protrusion part and the 2nd protrusion part is not limited to the above, What is necessary is just a form which can be arrange | positioned by the arrangement | sequence which can be continued without contradiction, for example, a hexagon about a 1st protrusion part. There may be an arrangement in which six second protrusions are arranged at the vertices and the pattern extends in the plane. In this case, since the number of the second protrusions exceeds the number of the first protrusions, the second protrusions are adjacent to each other. However, as long as a continuous sheet state is formed as a whole, this is the case. Such an arrangement is included in the meaning that the first protrusions and the second protrusions are arranged alternately.

  In this embodiment, the 1st protrusion part 1 and the 2nd protrusion part 2 are made into the truncated cone shape or hemisphere which rounded the top part. In more detail, the protruding shape of the first protruding portion is not sharp but rather hemispherical, while the protruding shape of the second protruding portion is more sharp and rounded at the top or a truncated cone shape. It has become. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion is not limited to the above shape, and any protruding shape may be used. For example, various cone shapes (in this specification, the cone shape is a cone, a truncated cone, a pyramid, a pyramid It is a meaning that widely includes a table, an oblique cone, etc.). In the present embodiment, the first protrusion and the second protrusion hold a frustoconical or hemispherical internal space 1k, 2k having a rounded apex similar to the outer diameter thereof. The internal spaces 1k and 2k are separated from each other via the ridge portion 6 and are formed as substantially non-continuous spaces. On the other hand, a wall portion 3 is formed between the first protruding portion 1 and the second protruding portion 2 in the sheet thickness direction, and both protruding portions are continuous through the wall portion 3 or the ridge portion 6. It is structured.

Here, the operation based on the basic structure of the nonwoven fabric of the present embodiment described above will be described.
-Cushion property Since the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment has the part which protruded not only on one side of the front and back but on both surfaces, the cushion property peculiar to the structure is expressed. For example, streak-like projections or single-sided projections inevitably exhibit elasticity as lines or surfaces. However, according to the present embodiment, dots (pressure It exhibits a three-dimensional cushioning property that is supported by a change in contact with the surface and its contact area increasing or decreasing. Moreover, although mentioned later for details, in the wall part 3, it has the orientation of the fiber orientated toward the direction where the wall stands. Therefore, a firm stiffness is born here, and an appropriate cushioning property is realized without the fibers being crushed in the thickness direction. Furthermore, even if the nonwoven fabric is crushed due to the pressing force due to the fiber orientation of the wall portion described above, the shape restoring force is large, and even if the packing state and wearing are continued, the initial cushioning property is not easily lost.
-Touch The nonwoven fabric of this embodiment has the 1st and 2nd protrusion part in a double-sided direction, The top part is roundish. Therefore, whichever surface is the skin side, a good touch that the top sheet softly contacts the skin with respect to the skin is realized. In addition, the contact point with the pressure at the time of wearing increases or decreases in a planar shape, making it possible to reduce the shape deformation of the entire topsheet against pressure while reducing the shape deformation from pressure deformation. Can also be easy. There also exists an effect | action resulting from said favorable cushioning property, and a unique favorable touch is obtained with the dynamic effect | action by a point contact. Moreover, the point contact mentioned above has an effect also when excretion etc. are received, and the smooth touch is implement | achieved.
-Collectability of excrement In the nonwoven fabric 10 of this embodiment, there exist the 1st protrusion part 1 and the 2nd protrusion part 2 which protrude on the both surfaces. Each of them has a first internal space 1k and a second internal space 2k formed therein. Therefore, these can be collected and dealt with in various forms according to the physical properties of the excretion fluid and excrement. For example, when explained on the assumption that the first surface z ₁ of the nonwoven fabric 10 of Figure 1 was the skin side, if a low excrement viscosity high permeability, without passing through the topsheet, the interior space The excrement is temporarily stocked at 2k. On the other hand, if the excretory liquid has low viscosity and easily permeates, after passing through the top sheet, if there is a lower layer sheet in the internal space 1k or below it, it is collected on it. In any of these cases, the portion that first hits the skin surface is the top 11 of the first protruding portion, and the collected excretory fluid or excrement is made difficult to contact the skin. Thereby, after excretion of urine, stool, menstrual blood and vaginal discharge, a very good and smooth feeling can be sustained in a wide range.

  Furthermore, the excretion collection property which is the characteristic of this embodiment is demonstrated. The nonwoven fabric of this embodiment is particularly effective when used as a surface sheet of a disposable diaper, and is excellent in collecting and preventing diffusion of high-viscosity or slurry-like soft stool. As described above, the internal space 2k of the second projecting portion particularly functions and exhibits a collecting property as described above, but at this time, the internal space 2k is separated by the connecting portion (ridge portion) 6 as described later and exists independently. In addition, since the second projecting portion 2 is not easily deformed during pressurization, soft stool is less likely to flow out into the adjacent internal space. As a result, the diffusion of soft stool is suppressed, and for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which soft stool leaks from the diaper. Moreover, the 1st protrusion part which deform | transforms flexibly functions as a support part with respect to skin, and the firmness of a wall part has the function which maintains the internal space 2k independent of compression resistance. As a result, the loose stool once collected in the internal space 2k of the second projecting portion remains collected in the space of the cup-like structure, and even when sitting with movements and buttocks of infants and the like Excessive diffusion of loose stool is suppressed. In addition, the pressure applied to the nonwoven fabric of the present embodiment is dispersed on the surface by the deformation in which the contact point of the first projecting portion in contact with the skin spreads in a surface shape (pressure relaxation surface), and then further the upper surface portion of the cup-shaped structure Since a pressure relaxation surface due to contact with the surface is added at once, its shape is easily maintained. Moreover, it is soft and gentle to the skin, and the soft stool once excreted by the first projecting portion and the wall supporting action is also difficult to adhere to the skin, has a non-sticky wearing feeling, and rough skin is suitably prevented. The effect of suppressing the diffusion of loose stool and the difficulty of adhering to the skin is expressed by the evaluation of the amount of loose stool skin and the loose stool diffusion area described later.

More detailed features of the nonwoven fabric of the present embodiment including the fiber orientation in the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. The nonwoven fabric of this embodiment has the 1st protrusion part 1 and the 2nd protrusion part 2 (it showed with the broken line), and these are each shown as a simple circle in FIG. The sizes of these circles are slightly different for distinction, and do not coincide with the form shown in FIG. In the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment, the 1st protrusion part 1 and the 2nd protrusion part 2 are arrange | positioned by the grid | lattice-like arrangement | sequence. In other words, when the first row k ₁ , the second row k ₂ , and the third row k ₃ are viewed in a predetermined direction, the first protrusion 1 and the second protrusion 2 in each row Are alternately arranged, and when the protrusions of each row are projected in a direction (y direction) oblique to each row within the sheet surface, the first protrusions and the second protrusions are adjacent in the adjacent rows. Overlapping relationship. More specifically, the first protrusion 1 and the second protrusion 2 overlap each other in the n-th row and the (n + 2) -th row. That is, in the present embodiment, when the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the column k ₁ is moved parallel to the y-direction, there is a superimposed relation to the first protrusions and second protrusions of the row k ₃ . However, the present invention is not construed as being limited to this, and there may be a shift between the adjacent first protrusion and second protrusion.

  A wall 3 is formed between the first protrusion 1 and the second protrusion 2. When viewed from the central first protrusion 1 shown in FIG. 5, four wall portions 31, 32, 33, and 34 that are continuous from the four second protrusions 2 are formed. And the four wall part parts 31-34 are connected by wall part part 31 ', 32', 33 ', 34' in the sheet | seat in-plane direction, and the cyclic | annular wall part 3 is comprised in series. . There is a ridge portion that is the back of the horse between the first protrusions adjacent on the first surface side of the wall portions 31 ′, 32 ′, 33 ′, and 34 ′. ) 6 and ridge portions 61 to 64 are formed corresponding to the wall portions 31 ′ to 34 ′, respectively. In the present invention, “annular” is not particularly limited as long as it has an endless series of shapes in plan view, and may be any shape such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, or a polygon in plan view. . In order to maintain the continuous state of the sheet suitably, a circle or an ellipse is preferable. Furthermore, if the "annular" is considered as a three-dimensional shape, a cylindrical shape, a slanted columnar shape, an elliptical columnar shape, a truncated cone shape, a truncated oblique cone shape, a truncated elliptical cone shape, a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape, a truncated oblique pyramid shape Arbitrary ring structures, such as a shape, are mentioned, In order to implement | achieve a continuous sheet | seat state, cylindrical shape, elliptic cylinder shape, truncated cone shape, and truncated elliptical cone shape are preferable.

  The first protrusions are connected to each other by the ridge part (connecting part) 6, and the second protrusions are separated from each other. Specifically, based on FIG. 5, the first protrusions are connected to each other by ridge portions (connection portions) 61 to 64 to form an internal space 2k that is an independent cup-shaped structure. On the other hand, the second projecting portions are separated from each other by the ridge portions (connecting portions) 61 to 64 to form a continuous internal space 1k. Thereby, while the fluctuation | variation followability to a pressure improves and it implement | achieves a favorable wearing feeling, it is excellent in the obstruction | occlusion property after collecting excrement, and the spreading | diffusion can be suppressed / prevented effectively. That is, when no pressure is applied, the internal space 2k is separated by a connecting portion (ridge portion) and is independently present, so that it has an excellent diffusion suppressing effect during stool injection, and the first projecting portion is deformed when pressurized. However, since deformation remains at the ridge, it is excellent in occlusiveness after collecting excreta and can more effectively prevent its diffusion. In the present invention, the ridge or the ridge shape is a continuous portion of the mountainous protrusion-like portion between the valley when the internal space 1k of the first protrusion or the internal space 2k of the second protrusion is viewed as a valley. Usually, it has a surface in substantially the same direction as the surface direction of the nonwoven fabric sheet.

In the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment, the fiber density in a 1st protrusion part is smaller than the fiber density in a 2nd protrusion part. Thereby, in the 1st protrusion part, it does not give the feeling which is suitably crushed with respect to a press and stabs in skin, and can implement | achieve favorable skin contact. On the other hand, the second projecting portion is not easily crushed, is excellent in retention after excrement is collected, is excellent in cushioning properties, and is excellent in preventing the collected matter from diffusing without being out of shape. The fiber density was evaluated by measuring the number of fibers per 1 mm ² . That is, the greater the number of fibers per 1 mm ² , the higher the fiber density.
From the above reason, the fiber density in the first protrusion is preferably 30 fibers / mm ^{2 to} 130 fibers / mm ^{2, and} more preferably 50 fibers / mm ^{2 to} 100 fibers / mm ² . From the above reason, the fiber density in the second protrusion is preferably 250 fibers / mm ^{2 to} 500 fibers / mm ² , and more preferably 300 fibers / mm ^{2 to} 450 fibers / mm ² . Moreover, it is preferable that the difference of the fiber density in a 1st protrusion part and the fiber density in a 2nd protrusion part is 150 pieces / mm < ² > or more.

In the present embodiment, the thickness (T _p ) under the pressure of 3.5 × 10 ³ Pa is 20 to 70% of the thickness (T) at the time of minute pressure (0.05 × 10 ³ Pa). It is preferable that it is 30 to 60%. When the thickness under pressure (T _p ) is less than the above upper limit of the thickness (T) at the time of minute pressure, the wearer moves and sits flexibly and feels hardness. It is preferable because it is difficult. Moreover, since a nonwoven fabric will not be crushed completely and the three-dimensional shape can be hold | maintained more than the said lower limit, the collection property of excrement can fully be exhibited. That is, in this embodiment, the nonwoven fabric is not completely crushed even under pressurized conditions, and the three-dimensional shape is maintained. Therefore, the cushioning property and the excrement collecting property / diffusion preventing property as described above. Indicates. A preferable range of the sheet thickness (T) will be described later.

FIG. 6A shows a rectangular model obtained by developing the wall 3 shown in FIG. 5, and the lines g _{1a and} g _1b shown therein indicate the fiber orientation directions. In order to represent the position of the wall portion, further, the annular wall portion is a cylinder, and when viewed in a cross section cut by a plane orthogonal to the mother ship, positions different from each other by 90 ° as viewed from the center The code is added. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the wall portion 3 of the present embodiment has the wall portion standing direction (the first direction) at virtually any location in the plane direction defined by the first direction and the second direction. (The direction connecting the first protrusion and the second protrusion). Here, “substantially” means that a portion having no orientation may be included in part, and it is sufficient that the above-described operation is performed as a whole within a range where each operation is suitably shown. Typically, it means that it does not have different orientations in the MD direction and the CD direction as in the conventional examples described later, and has the predetermined fiber orientation in at least the MD direction and the CD direction. preferable. “MD” refers to a direction in which a sheet material such as a nonwoven fabric flows during manufacturing, and is an abbreviation of “Machine Direction”. Also called flow direction. “CD” is a direction orthogonal to the MD and is an abbreviation of “Cross Direction”.
In the present embodiment, the 0 ° position (wall portion 31) and the 180 ° position (wall portion 33) are biased toward the second surface side (z ₂ ) and have a strong orientation (line g _1b). ), And the 90 ° position (wall portion 32) and the 270 ° position (wall portion 34) are strongly oriented in a state of being biased to the first surface side (z ₁ ) side. A portion indicating (line g _1a ) is located. Although not shown in the figure because the figures are crowded, the same applies to the wall portions 31 ′ to 34 ′, and the same fiber orientation is obtained over the entire surface. However, the wall portion showing a strong orientation constitutes an orientation structure of an annular wall portion that gradually changes as a whole at the intermediate positions changing as 31, 32, 33, and 34. As described above, the cushioning characteristic peculiar to the present embodiment is thereby produced.
On the other hand, for example, when a recess is given by embossing or the like to a nonwoven fabric that has been fused and given a predetermined orientation before shaping the fiber web, the fibers are already fused when giving the recess. The fiber orientation does not change, and when the annular wall portion is divided every 90 ° in plan view as shown in FIG. 6B, the fiber orientation of the sheet when fused is obtained. The remaining fiber orientation changes for each division position. Specifically, the fibers are oriented in the standing direction (line g _1c ) in the wall portions 31 and 33 as shown in the figure, whereas the fibers are oriented in the direction (line g ₂ ) perpendicular to the wall portions 32 and 34. Are oriented. This is because when the nonwoven fabric is usually manufactured, the fibers are oriented in the MD direction and fused as they are, so the fibers in the wall in the MD direction cross section are oriented in the standing direction, but in the CD direction cross section. In this case, the fibers are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the standing direction.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the fibers of the wall portion have fiber orientation along the direction connecting the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. That is, in the wall portion, the fibers have orientation in the thickness direction. In the present invention, the fiber having orientation in the thickness direction means that the fibers are aligned in the thickness direction. Specifically, in the measurement method described later, the orientation angle is It means 50 ° to 130 ° and an orientation strength of 1.05 or more.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the fiber orientation direction (line g ₃ ) in a state where one second protruding portion 2 shown in FIG. 5 is taken out. In order to specify the position, the code | symbol of a wall part is attached | subjected to the corresponding position. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the fiber has a radial fiber orientation that converges toward the top 21 of the second protrusion 2. In other words, when the relationship with the wall portion is mentioned together, the fibers are converged from the wall portion 3 to the second protrusion portion 2 so as to converge toward the top portion 21 of the second protrusion portion along the surface direction of the sheet surface. Is oriented. Thus, since there is a radial fiber orientation at the second protrusion top 21, the sheet is stiff and a solid is maintained under the pressurizing condition. Concentration and anti-diffusion properties.

In the present embodiment, the fiber orientation (q ₂₁ ) in the thickness direction at the top of the second protruding portion is made smaller than the fiber orientation (q ₃ ) in the thickness direction of the wall portion. It takes the same value as non-woven fabric. Thereby, the tensile strength of MD direction and CD direction of a nonwoven fabric sheet can be kept high, and it can prevent that a sheet | seat is fractured | ruptured or extended at the time of manufacture. From this point of view, the orientation angle _{q 3} is 50 ° to 130 DEG °, it is preferable that the orientation intensity than 1.05. The orientation angle q ₂₁ is preferably 0 ° or more and less than 50 ° or more than 130 ° and 180 ° or less, and preferably the orientation strength is less than 1.05.

In the present embodiment, the fiber amount (u ₁ ) of the first protrusion and the fiber amount (u ₂ ) of the second protrusion are substantially equal. In the present invention, the method for measuring the amount of fiber is as follows unless otherwise specified. Thereby, it becomes difficult to buckle at the time of deformation due to pressure or the like, and it is preferable that the shape is restored when the pressure is released. In addition, it is preferable that the amount of fibers in the nonwoven fabric is substantially equal, so that the physical property values such as strength of the nonwoven fabric are stabilized, and a change in feel and tear due to fiber unevenness hardly occur.
In addition, what is necessary is just a grade which does not produce a significant functional difference that the fiber quantity is substantially equal. The fiber amount is synonymous with basis weight or basis weight, and unless otherwise specified, is based on the method measured by the following method.

In the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment, the number of fiber fusion points (n ₁ ) in the first protrusion is smaller than the number of fiber fusion points (n ₂ ) in the second protrusion. Thereby, in the 1st protrusion part, it does not give the feeling which is suitably crushed with respect to a press and stabs in skin, and can implement | achieve favorable skin contact. On the other hand, the second projecting portion is not easily crushed, is excellent in retention after excrement is collected, is excellent in cushioning properties, and is excellent in preventing the collected matter from diffusing without being out of shape. Fiber fusion score, led by counting the fusion points of the 1mm ² around the fiber. The fiber fusion point number n ₁ is preferably 30 pieces / mm ^{2 to} 130 pieces / mm ^{2 and} more preferably 50 pieces / mm ^{2 to} 100 pieces / mm ² for the above reasons. The fiber fusion point number n ₂ is preferably 250 pieces / mm ^{2 to} 500 pieces / mm ^{2 and} more preferably 300 pieces / mm ^{2 to} 450 pieces / mm ² for the above reasons.

The dimension specification in the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment is demonstrated below.
Regarding the thickness of the sheet, the thickness at the time of minute pressurization (0.05 × 10 ³ Pa) when viewed as the whole of the nonwoven fabric 10 is referred to as the sheet thickness (T), and the locality of the sheet curved into the unevenness thereof The thickness is distinguished as the layer thickness (S) (see FIG. 2). The sheet thickness (T) may be appropriately adjusted depending on the intended use, but considering that it is used as a surface sheet for diapers, sanitary products, etc., 2 mm to 6 mm is preferable, and 3 mm to 5 mm is more preferable. By setting it as the range, an appropriate cushioning property can be given to the wearer, excretion can be easily collected, and liquid return from the absorber can be prevented. The layer thickness may be different at each site in the sheet, and may be appropriately adjusted depending on the application. In consideration of use as a surface sheet for diapers, sanitary products, etc., the layer thickness (S ₁ ) of the top of the first protrusion is preferably 0.2 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably 0.6 mm to 2 mm. The preferred layer thickness ranges are the same for the layer thickness (S ₂ ) at the top of the second protrusion and the layer thickness (S ₃ ) at the wall. The relationship among the layer thicknesses (S ₁ ), (S ₂ ), and (S ₃ ) is preferably S ₁ > S ₃ > S ₂ . Thereby, in the 1st protrusion part, a fiber density is low, the number of fiber fusion | melting points decreases, and it can implement | achieve favorable skin contact without giving the feeling of being crushed moderately with respect to a press and sticking into skin. On the other hand, the wall part and the second projecting part have high fiber density, increase the number of fiber fusion points, are not easily crushed, are excellent in retention after collecting excrement, and have good cushioning properties and catching without being out of shape. Excellent anti-diffusion property for collection.

In this embodiment, the 1st protrusion part 1, the 2nd protrusion part 2, and the wall part 3 are equally divided into 3 in sheet | seat thickness (T), and the division of each part is defined in this way unless there is particular notice. Accordingly, these thicknesses are naturally determined by the sheet thickness (T) (P ₁ = P ₂ = P ₃ ). However, when the kurtosis or curvature of the tops of the first projecting portion 1 and the second projecting portion 2 are different, a relatively narrow portion that is linear in the cross section is used as the wall portion 3, and the curved portion is rounded and rounded therefrom. optionally a go area as the first projecting portion 1 and the second projecting portions 2 respectively _(P 1, P reference _'2, P' _3). According to the latter definition, in the nonwoven fabric 10 of the present embodiment, the thickness (P ′ ₂ ) of the second protrusion 2 is larger than the thickness (P ₁ ) of the first protrusion 1, and there is a bias in the thickness direction as a whole. It is in the form. In other words, in this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the top portion 11 of the first protrusion top portion 1 is larger than the radius of curvature of the top portion 21 of the second protrusion top portion 2.

The half thickness (t ₁ ) on the first surface side and the half thickness (t ₂ ) on the second surface side are the same as described above. Basically, the line obtained by dividing the sheet thickness (T) into two equal parts is the center line ( It is assumed that the center plane is m and the thicknesses (t ₁ , t ₂ ) are equal. However, if there is a difference in the kurtosis or the radius of curvature at the top of the first protrusion 1 and the second protrusion 2, it is defined by the position m ′ evaluated as the center of the straight section of the wall section. can do. According to the latter definition, the non-woven fabric of the present embodiment satisfies the first-surface-side half thickness t ₁ <the second-surface-side half thickness t ₂ .

  The interval n (see FIG. 5) between the rows formed by the first projecting portion 1 and the second projecting portion 2 may be appropriately adjusted depending on the application, but considering that it is used as a surface sheet for diapers, sanitary products, etc. 15 mm is preferable and 3 mm to 10 mm is more preferable.

Basis weight with the nonwoven fabric of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, in terms of the average value of the entire sheet is preferably 15 to 50 g / ^{m 2,} and more preferably 20 to 40 g / ^{m 2.}

The manufacturing method of the nonwoven fabric 10 of this embodiment should just employ | adopt a method general to this kind of product suitably. If an example is given, the following aspects will be mentioned. The fiber web before being fused is supplied from the card machine to the web shaping device so as to have a predetermined thickness. In the web shaping apparatus, the fiber web is fixed on a pedestal (not shown) having a large number of protrusions 9 (see FIG. 2) and having air permeability. Next, hot air h (see FIG. 2) is blown onto the fiber web on the pedestal at a temperature at which each fiber can be appropriately fused, and the fiber web is shaped along the protrusions 9 on the pedestal. The fibers are fused. The temperature of the hot air at this time is preferably 0 to 70 ° C higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic fiber constituting the fiber web, and more preferably 5 to 50 ° C higher. Examples of the thermoplastic fiber include polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyesters, polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 66, polyacrylonitriles, etc., or a core-sheath type or a side-by-side type composite composed of two or more of these. A fiber etc. can be mentioned. When a composite fiber containing a low melting point component and a high melting point component is used as the thermoplastic fiber, the temperature of the hot air blown onto the fiber web is preferably 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 temperature of the hot air blown onto the fiber web is more preferably the melting point of the low melting point component + 0 ° C. to the melting point of the high melting point component −10 ° C., and the melting point of the low melting point component + 5 ° C. to the melting point of the high melting point component −20 ° C. More preferably. The fiber web and the nonwoven fabric preferably contain 30 to 100% by mass of thermoplastic fibers, and more preferably 40 to 80% by mass. The fiber web and the nonwoven fabric may contain fibers that do not inherently have heat-fusibility (for example, natural fibers such as cotton and pulp, rayon, and acetate fibers).
The wind speed of the hot air when shaping the fiber web is more preferably 20 to 130 m / sec, more preferably 30 to 100 m / sec, from the viewpoints of shapeability and texture. When the wind speed is equal to or higher than this lower limit, the three-dimensional effect is sufficient, and the effects of cushioning and excrement collection are sufficiently exhibited. When the wind speed is less than or equal to this upper limit value, the sheet does not open and the compression resistance is maintained well, which is preferable because the effects of cushioning and excrement collection can be sufficiently exhibited.
In consideration of continuous production, there is a mode in which the pedestal is a conveyor type or drum type that can be conveyed, and the typed nonwoven fabric that is conveyed is wound up by a roll. In addition, although the MD direction and the CD direction may be directed to the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment, it is preferable that the longitudinal direction is the MD direction in the model diagram shown in FIG.

The fiber material that can be used for the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is not particularly limited. Specific examples include the following fibers. Polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene (PE) fibers and polypropylene (PP) fibers; fibers using a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide alone; composite fibers having a structure such as a core-sheath type and a side-by-side type, such as A core-sheath structure fiber in which the sheath component is polyethylene or low-melting-point polypropylene is preferable, and typical examples of the core / sheath structure fiber include PET (core) / PE (sheath), PP (core) / PE ( Sheath), fibers having a core-sheath structure such as PP (core) / low melting point PP (sheath). More specifically, the constituent fibers preferably include polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene fibers and polypropylene fibers, polyethylene composite fibers, and polypropylene composite fibers. Here, the composite composition of the polyethylene composite fiber is polyethylene terephthalate / polyethylene, and the composite composition of the polypropylene composite fiber is preferably polyethylene terephthalate / low melting point polypropylene, and more specifically, PET (core). / PE (sheath), PET (core) / low melting point PP (sheath). These fibers may be used alone to form a nonwoven fabric, but may be used in combination of two or more.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing a disposable diaper to which the topsheet 10 of Embodiment 1 is applied with a part cut away. The diaper shown in the figure is a tape-type disposable diaper for infants, and is shown in a state where a diaper developed in a plane is bent slightly and viewed from the inside (skin contact surface side). In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that it replaces with the surface sheet 10 (this Embodiment 1) and the surface sheets 20, 30, and 40 (this Embodiment 2, 3, 4) can be applied to the disposable diaper 100 of this embodiment.

  The disposable diaper 100 of the present embodiment includes a liquid-permeable surface sheet (nonwoven fabric) 10 disposed on the skin contact surface side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 71 disposed on the non-skin contact surface side, It has the absorber 73 interposed between these (refer FIG. 11). The nonwoven fabric 10 of the said embodiment is applied as a surface sheet, The 1st protrusion surface side is made into the skin contact surface. In the present embodiment, an absorber 73 is interposed between the back sheet 71 and the top sheet 10. The back sheet 71 is in an unfolded state and has a substantially hourglass shape in which both side edges are confined inward in the longitudinal central portion c. The back sheet 71 is composed of a plurality of sheets even if it is composed of one sheet. It may be a thing. In the present embodiment, a side leakage prevention gather 72 formed by the side seat 75 is provided, and thereby side leakage of liquid or the like in the hip joint part due to an infant's exercise or the like can be effectively prevented. In the diaper of this embodiment, a functional structure part, a sheet material, etc. may be provided. In addition, in FIG. 11, the arrangement | positioning relationship and boundary of each member are not illustrated strictly, and if it is set as the general form of this kind of diaper, the structure will not be specifically limited.

  The diaper of this embodiment is shown as a tape type, and a fastening tape 76 is provided on the flap portion on the back side r. The diaper can be attached and fixed by applying the tape 76 to a tape applying part (not shown) provided on the flap part of the ventral side f. At this time, the center of the diaper c is gently bent inward, and the absorbent body 73 is worn along the baby's buttocks and lower abdomen. As a result, excreta is accurately absorbed and held in the absorber 73. By using in such a form, especially the non-woven fabric 10 of this embodiment is applied as a surface sheet, it exhibits a good touch, cushioning properties, and excretion collecting ability. In particular, it is possible to achieve a very high performance that cannot be achieved with a conventional surface sheet of linear protrusions or a small hole in the excrement collection property. It can protect suitably from the rough skin by loose stool etc.

  The nonwoven fabric of the present invention can be used for various other applications. For example, it can be suitably used as a surface sheet for absorbent articles such as the disposable diapers described above, sanitary napkins, panty liners, urine absorption pads and the like. In addition, the form used as a wiping sheet, a cleaning sheet, and a filter is also mentioned.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated further in detail based on an Example, this invention is limited and interpreted by these Examples.

Example 1
(1) Production of surface sheet A 2.4 dtex × 51 mm core-sheath type composite fiber having a core made of polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath made of polyethylene was supplied from a card machine to a web shaping apparatus so as to have a basis weight of 27 g / m ² . In the web shaping apparatus, the fiber web was fixed on a pedestal (MD direction pitch 10 mm, CD direction pitch 5 mm) having a large number of protrusions and air permeability. Next, hot air (temperature: 160 ° C., wind speed: 40 m / sec) is blown onto the fiber web on the pedestal to shape the fiber web along the protrusions on the pedestal and fuse the fibers of each core-sheath structure. I let you. The nonwoven fabric shaped by heat sealing in this manner was taken out and used as a nonwoven fabric test body 1. FIG. 8 shows a drawing-substituting photograph in which a cross section of the nonwoven fabric test body 1 under a minute pressure (0.05 × 10 ³ Pa) is imaged 20 times with a Keyence digital microscope VHX-1000. FIG. 9 shows the cross-sectional shape of the sheet when pressed at 3.5 × 10 ³ Pa. Moreover, the photograph which image | photographed this test body 1 from the 1st surface side was shown in FIG. In the photograph of FIG. 8, the upper side is the first protrusion side, and the lower side is the second protrusion side. In this example, the specimen 1 was manufactured with the MD direction in the x direction shown in FIG.
(2) Preparation of diapers Remove the surface sheet from a commercially available baby diaper from Kao Corporation (trade name “Merry's Sarasara Air-Through M size”). A baby diaper for evaluation was obtained.

(Example 2)
A nonwoven fabric test specimen 2 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the basis weight was 25 g / m ² . The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 2 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

Example 3
A nonwoven fabric specimen 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the basis weight was changed to 30 g / m ² . The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 3 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

Example 4
A non-woven fabric test body 4 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air conditions were a temperature of 140 ° C. and a wind speed of 40 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 4 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Example 5)
A non-woven fabric test specimen 5 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air was changed to a temperature of 180 ° C. and a wind speed of 40 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 5 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Example 6)
A nonwoven fabric test body 6 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air conditions were 160 ° C. and the wind speed was 20 m / second. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 6 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Example 7)
A non-woven fabric test body 7 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air was changed to a temperature of 160 ° C. and a wind speed of 80 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 7 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Example 8)
A non-woven fabric specimen 8 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air was changed to a temperature of 160 ° C. and a wind speed of 100 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 8 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

Example 9
A non-woven fabric specimen 9 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air conditions were a temperature of 200 ° C. and a wind speed of 80 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen 9 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Reference Example 1)
A nonwoven fabric test body s1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air was changed to a temperature of 160 ° C. and a wind speed of 10 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen s1 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Reference Example 2)
A nonwoven fabric test body s2 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hot air was changed to a temperature of 160 ° C. and a wind speed of 150 m / sec. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen s2 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Comparative Example 1)
Compared to Example 1, a flat nonwoven fabric test body c1 was used without using a pedestal with a protrusion. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric test body c1 instead of the nonwoven fabric test body 1 of the example.

(Comparative Example 2)
In the same manner as in Example 1 of JP-A-03-137258, JP-have independent recess has an opening, the fiber density of the first protrusion _{(r 1)} is the fiber density of the second protrusion _{(r 2} ) Was produced. Specifically, it is as follows.
A web made of 2.4-dtex × 51 mm core-sheath composite fiber having a core made of polyethylene terephthalate and a sheath made of polyethylene was formed by a standard carding machine. Next, the web was sandwiched between an uneven net having air permeability and a plain weave net, and air was jetted from the plain weave net side. And the web in which the density part of the fiber was formed in the predetermined pitch was produced by pushing a web into the recessed part of the said uneven | corrugated net. Thereafter, the web in this state was passed through heated air at 140 ° C., and the polyethylene part was welded to integrate the web. Thereby, the uneven | corrugated state was formed with the predetermined pitch, and the nonwoven fabric test body c2 which was opened to the concave part was produced. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric test body c2 instead of the nonwoven fabric test body 1 of the example.

(Comparative Example 3)
The nonwoven fabric test body c3 is a nonwoven fabric produced by the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-246321, and is a nonwoven fabric having independent recesses and having openings. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric specimen c3 instead of the nonwoven fabric specimen 1 of the example.

(Comparative Example 4)
According to the method described in Example 1 of JP2008-25081A, the basis weight was adjusted to prepare a nonwoven fabric test body c4. Since the nonwoven fabric test body c4 has a streak-like uneven shape, the nonwoven fabric test body c4 does not have an independent recessed portion but has an opening. The diaper was produced using the nonwoven fabric test body c4 instead of the nonwoven fabric test body 1 of the example.

  The following measurement tests were performed using the above diapers.

From the above results, in the nonwoven fabrics (test bodies 1 to 9) according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cup-shaped space accurately collected soft stool and effectively suppressed its diffusion. It can also be seen that the skin feels good without touching the surface, and that even after receiving excrement, it does not give a sticky feeling due to contact with the point, and extremely good comfort can be realized. Reference Examples 1 and 2 show the situation when manufacturing conditions are greatly changed. The test body s1 lacks a three-dimensional effect and cannot sufficiently exhibit the effects of cushioning and excrement collection. It can be seen that the test body s2 has a hole in the sheet and the compression resistance deteriorates, so that the cushioning effect and the excrement collecting effect cannot be sufficiently exhibited.
On the other hand, when it sees about a comparative example, since the test body c1 is flat, the effect of cushioning property and excrement collection property cannot fully be exhibited. Since the test body c2 and the test body c3 are opened and compression resistance deteriorates, the effects of cushioning properties and excrement collecting ability cannot be sufficiently exhibited. Since the test body c4 has a streak-like uneven shape and does not have an independent recess, it can be seen that the diffusion of loose stool cannot be suppressed and the effect of excrement collection cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

  The measuring method of each evaluation item including what was performed in the said Example is as follows.

<Uneven shape>
The nonwoven fabric was placed horizontally, and it was determined whether the nonwoven fabric surface had irregularities.
○: With uneven shape ×: Without uneven shape

<Independent recess>
The said nonwoven fabric was set | placed horizontally and it was determined whether the nonwoven fabric recessed part was separated from the adjacent recessed part, and existed independently.
○: With independent recess ×: Without independent recess

<Open hole>
The said nonwoven fabric was set | placed horizontally and it was determined whether it has an opening in a nonwoven fabric recessed part.
○: Open hole ×: No open hole

<Measurement of sheet thickness (T) and sheet thickness (Tp) during pressurization>
Using a KES compression tester (Kato Tech Co., Ltd., KES FB-3), the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a compression property evaluation up to 5.0 × 10 ³ Pa in a normal mode, and at a minute pressure (0.05 × 10). ³ Pa) thickness (T) and 3.5 × 10 ³ Pa thickness (Tp) were read from the chart.

<Evaluation method>
Place the baby diaper (test body) horizontally, pressurize in the center (urination point) without pressure, artificial loose stool (bentonite: glycerin: water: emulgen 130K (trade name, manufactured by Kao Corporation, surfactant) = 28: 14: 114: 14 was mixed, and the viscosity was adjusted to 300 mPa · s) at a rate of 2 g / second, and 10 g was injected and allowed to stand for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the transparent PET sheet was gently placed on the surface of the surface sheet, and a weight was placed on the transparent PET sheet so as to be 3.5 × 10 ³ Pa and pressed for 5 minutes. Thereafter, the weight is removed, the transparent PET sheet is taken out, and the weight of the pseudo PET attached to the transparent PET sheet is calculated by measuring the weight of the transparent PET sheet before and after pressurization. did. Moreover, the area where the pseudo-soft stool after pressurization spread was measured and defined as the soft stool diffusion area.

<Measurement of fiber density>
The cut surface of the nonwoven fabric portion was magnified using a scanning electron microscope (adjusted to a magnification (150 to 500 times) at which the fiber cross section can be measured from 30 to 60) (150 times for this example), and the fiber cross section The area of the field of view where the number of fiber cross-sections was measured was calculated, and then converted into the number of cross-sections of fibers per 1 mm 2 to obtain the fiber density (lines / mm 2). The average fiber density of the sample was obtained, and the center of the observation part was the midpoint of 11a and 11b or the midpoint of 21a and 21b shown in FIG. The center.
Scanning electron microscope: JCM-5100 (trade name) manufactured by JEOL Ltd.
In addition, the 1st protrusion part top 1st surface side 11a, the 1st protrusion part top part 2nd surface side 11b, the 2nd protrusion part top part 1st surface side 21a, and the 2nd protrusion part top part 2nd surface side 21b are structure of invention. May be functionally classified. When strictly defining in the measurement as described above, half of the thickness (middle point) in the direction of the sheet thickness T of the corresponding portion is the middle point of both, the first surface side is 11a, 21a, Two sides are divided into 11b and 21b.

<Measurement of fiber orientation>
Using a scanning electron microscope JCM-5100 (trade name) manufactured by JEOL Ltd., the sample is allowed to stand so that the z-axis direction in FIG. Images taken from the direction (adjusted to a magnification capable of measuring 30 to 60 fibers to be measured; 50 to 300 times) were printed, and the fibers were traced on the transparent PET property. The said image was taken in in the personal computer and the said image was binarized using the NexusNewQube [tradename] (stand-alone version) image processing software. Next, using Fiber Orientation Analysis 8.13 Single (software name), which is a fiber orientation analysis program, an orientation angle and orientation strength were obtained from the binarized image. The orientation angle indicates the angle at which the fibers are most oriented, and the orientation strength indicates the strength at the orientation angle. In the measurement of the wall portion, the orientation angle close to 90 ° indicates that the fibers are oriented in the standing direction. In addition, the larger the orientation strength value, the more the fibers are aligned. The case where the orientation strength is 1.05 or more is assumed to be oriented. Measurement was performed at three locations, and the average was taken as the orientation angle and orientation strength of the sample.

<Measurement of fiber amount>
The area measured by the KEYENCE digital microscope VHX-1000 is sufficiently enlarged to enter the field of view (10 to 100 times), and the thickness (S1) of the top of the first protrusion shown in FIG. 2 Measure the thickness (S2) of the top of the protrusion. The measurement is performed 5 times, and the average is defined as the thickness (mm) of the top of the first protrusion and the top of the second protrusion of the sample.
-The number of fibers per 1 mm ^{2 is} measured by the fiber density measuring method described above.
-The amount of fibers was evaluated by measuring the number of fibers (pieces) per ^two thicknesses (mm) x 1 mm. In other words, if the thickness of the top of the first projecting portion and the top of the second projecting portion × 1 mm × the number of fibers per ² were substantially equal, it was determined that the amount of fibers (lines / mm ³ ) was also equal. The term “substantially equal” includes a difference in measurement error range.

<Measurement of the number of fiber fusion points>
The cut surface of the nonwoven fabric portion is magnified and observed using a scanning electron microscope (adjusted to a size that allows 30 to 60 fiber fusion points to be measured; 150 to 500 times), and the number of fiber fusion points around a certain area is determined. I counted. Moreover, the center of the observation part was set to the center point of 11a, 11b shown in FIG. 2 or the center point of 21a, 21b in the first protrusion part and the second protrusion part top part. Next, it was converted into the number of fiber fusion points around 1 mm ² , and this was defined as the number of fiber fusion points (pieces / mm ² ). The measurement was performed at three places, and the average was the number of fiber fusion points of the sample.
Scanning electron microscope: JCM-5100 (trade name) manufactured by JEOL Ltd.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st protrusion part 11 1st protrusion part top part 11a 1st protrusion part top part 1st surface side 11b 1st protrusion part top part 2nd surface side 1k 1st protrusion part Internal space 2 2nd protrusion part 21 2nd protrusion part top part 21a second projection top first surface 21b second protrusion top second face 2k second projecting portion internal space 3 wall 6 ridges 9 projections 10 nonwoven T sheet thickness _{S (S 1, S 2,} S 3) Layer thickness 71 Back sheet 72 Side gather 73 Absorber 75 Side sheet 76 Fastening tape 100 Disposable diaper

Claims (6)

A plurality of first projecting portions projecting to the first surface side and second projecting portions projecting to the second surface side alternately in two directions, ie, the first direction and the second direction within the surface, through the wall portion. a spread continuous nonwoven, the wall portion forms a cyclic structure, the fiber density of the first protrusion (r ₁₎ is rather low than the fiber density of the second protrusion (r _2), a nonwoven fabric In the sheet, the nonwoven fabric is such that the fiber orientation (q ₂₁ ) in the thickness direction at the top of the second protrusion is smaller than the fiber orientation (q ₃ ) in the thickness direction at the wall .   The non-woven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent first protrusions and the adjacent second protrusions are connected by a ridge-shaped connecting part. About the sheet thickness (T) of the nonwoven fabric at the time of minute pressurization (0.05 × 10 ³ Pa), the thickness (T _p ) under the pressurization condition of pressure 3.5 × 10 ³ Pa is the thickness before pressurization. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 or 2, which is 20 to 70% of the thickness (T). It said fibers fusing points of the first projecting portion (n _1), the fibers fused points in the second projecting portion (n ₂₎ smaller claim than 1-3 in any nonwoven fabric according to item 1.   The said wall part is a nonwoven fabric of any one of Claims 1-4 which have radial fiber orientation which converges toward the top part of a said 2nd protrusion part. The nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the first projecting portion and the skin face side, the absorbent article applied as a surface sheet.