RU2696708C1 - Non-woven material - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: technological processes.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a non-woven material and a fiber processing agent. Disclosed is a nonwoven material to which a fiber processing agent is bonded, wherein the fiber processing agent contains a liquid film destructing agent and a component selected from component (A), (B) or (C). Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following formula (S1)

,

where Z denotes a trivalent group selected from a group comprising a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which can contain an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R⁷ and R⁸, each independently denotes a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which can include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond; and X denotes -SO₃M, -OSO₃M or -COOM, where M denotes H, Na, K, Mg, Ca or ammonium. Component (B): a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid. Component (C): an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulphobetaine group.

EFFECT: invention provides better characteristic of suppression of residual liquid and suppression of reverse flow of liquid.

27 cl, 11 ex, 16 tbl, 16 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

{0001}

The present invention relates to a nonwoven material and to an agent for treating fibers.

State of the art

{0002}

Recently, proposals have been made regarding improving liquid permeability, feeling dry on the surface in contact with skin, or the like for a nonwoven material used in an absorbent article.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a material in which hydrophilicity is partially reduced to obtain a hydrophilic nonwoven material with a change in the degree of hydrophilicity in the thickness direction. Patent Literature 1 describes that when a hydrophilic nonwoven material is used in the form of a top sheet of an absorbent article, for example, a decrease in the amount of residual liquid or a decrease in the amount of liquid is required, flowing over the surface when the top sheet can be realized.

Patent Literature 2 describes a nonwoven material in which the absorption time of water droplets falling from a predetermined height is controlled to be within a predetermined range, in order to reduce the backflow of liquid in an absorbent article in which a hydrophilic treatment agent such as polysiloxane is used, modified with polyoxyalkylene groups to achieve this absorption time. In addition, Patent Literature 3 describes that the outer surface of the top sheet in contact with the skin in a diaper or the like is covered with a lotion to suppress the adhesion of feces on the skin of the user.

Citation List

Patent Literature

{0003}

Patent Literature 1: WO 2014/171388

Patent Literature 2: JP-A-2004-256935 ("JP-A" means Japanese Unexamined Published Patent Application)

Patent Literature 3: JP-T-11-510082 ("JP-T" means published Japanese translation of PCT International Application)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

{0004}

The present invention provides a nonwoven material and an agent for treating fibers, comprising: an agent for breaking a liquid film or the following compound; and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below.

Compound: a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 or more, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less.

Component (A): An anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1).

Component (B): Polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester.

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group.

{0005}

In the formula, Z represents a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double communication. R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0006}

In addition, the present invention provides a nonwoven material and an agent for treating fibers, comprising: an agent for breaking a liquid film or the following compound; and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below.

Connection: a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, 20 mN / m or less.

Component (A): Anionic surfactant represented by the above Formula (S1).

Component (B): Polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester.

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group.

{0007}

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

{0008}

{Figure 1}

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a liquid film formed in the gaps between the fibers of a nonwoven material.

{Figure 2}

Figures 2 (A1) -2 (A4), each, is an explanatory view schematically showing from the side a state in which the agent for destroying the liquid film destroys the liquid film, and figures 2 (B1) -2 (B4) each are an explanatory view schematically showing from above a state in which an agent for destroying a liquid film destroys a liquid film.

{Figure 3}

3 is a cross-sectional view of a nonwoven material showing a preferred aspect of the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity of the nonwoven material of the present invention.

{Figure 4}

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a nonwoven material showing another preferred aspect of the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity of the nonwoven material of the present invention.

{Figure 5}

5 is a cross-sectional view of a nonwoven fabric showing yet another preferred aspect of the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.

{Fig.6}

6 is a cross-sectional view of a nonwoven fabric showing yet another preferred aspect of the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.

{Fig.7}

7 is a cross-sectional view of a nonwoven fabric showing a preferred aspect (first aspect) of the convex-concave shape of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.

{Fig. 8}

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing another preferred aspect (second aspect) of a convex-concave shape of a nonwoven material by partially cutting surfaces of the present invention.

{Fig. 9}

Fig. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing another preferred aspect (third aspect) of a convex-concave shape of a non-woven fabric by partially cutting the surfaces of the present invention, in which Fig. 9 (A) shows a non-woven fabric formed from one layer, and Fig. 9 (B) shows a nonwoven fabric formed of two layers.

{Figure 10}

Figure 10 is a General view, schematically showing another preferred aspect (fourth aspect) of the convex-concave shape of the non-woven material of the present invention.

{Fig.11}

11 is a General view showing a modified example of the nonwoven fabric shown in FIG. 10.

{Fig.12}

12 is a perspective view schematically showing another preferred aspect (fifth aspect) of the convex-concave shape of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.

{Fig.13}

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view schematically showing a state in which the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric shown in FIG. 12 are fixed together in parts connected by fusion.

{Fig.14}

Fig. 14 (A) is a perspective view schematically showing yet another preferred aspect (sixth aspect) of the convex-concave shape of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, and Fig. 14 (B) is a cross-sectional view showing part of the cross section along thickness directions of the nonwoven fabric shown in FIG. 14 (A), a portion of which is enlarged.

{Fig.15}

Fig. 15 is a schematic view showing the step of producing the nonwoven fabric shown in Fig. 14 (A).

{Fig.16}

Fig. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing another preferred aspect (seventh aspect) of the convex-concave shape of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

{0009}

The present invention relates to the creation of a non-woven material, in which a liquid film formed between the fibers is reduced to improve the characteristics of a small amount of residual liquid, and to improve the characteristics of low backflow of liquid in order to realize a feeling of dry skin at a higher level; and an agent is used to process the fibers to produce a nonwoven material. In addition, the present invention also relates to a non-woven material preferred for the top sheet of an absorbent article, in which satisfaction is both from a characteristic of a small amount of residual liquid and from a low backflow of liquid, and satisfaction from both a feeling of dry skin and soft texture, implemented at a high level; and to the fiber processing agent for it.

{0010}

Improving the feeling of dry skin is described for non-woven materials and top sheets, as described in Patent Literature 1-3. However, in nonwovens, there are narrow areas between the fibers. In this area, although there is a space into which it can penetrate excreted fluid (e.g., urine and menstrual blood, also referred to simply as fluid below), high meniscus force between fibers, high surface activity of plasma proteins or high surface viscosity of blood causes a stable fluid film to form between the fibers, resulting in fluid retention in this area . In addition, phospholipids also exhibit surface activity in urine, due to which a liquid film is easily formed in a manner similar to that described above. Thus, the various emitted liquids are stably held between the fibers like a liquid film, and for this reason, light moisture is felt to the touch due to the liquid flowing back from the liquid film in some cases, and the feeling of dry skin is far from satisfactory even in non-woven fabric using conventional agent for processing or the like. In addition, in addition to feeling dry skin, consumers have recently also shown desires for a relatively good texture that requires the use of finer fibers. However, if thin fibers are used, the distance between the fibers is further reduced. Thus, since a liquid film between the fibers is even easier to form and more difficult to break, fluid retention tends to increase.

For this reason, a method for eliminating a film of liquid forming in a narrow part between fibers in a nonwoven material is considered. However, this elimination is difficult due to the high stability of the liquid film. Patent Literature 1-3 described above does not describe the elimination of a liquid film between fibers. In addition, it is also contemplated to eliminate the liquid film by using a water-soluble surfactant to reduce the surface tension of the liquid. However, when an attempt is made to make it possible to remove a liquid film using such a surfactant in an absorbent article, the liquid is prone to penetrate through the backing sheet to protect against liquid leakage.

In addition, the characteristics of the removal of a liquid film using a water-soluble surfactant or the like can also serve as a mechanism for triggering the return flow of the liquid even slightly in the opposite direction, since a narrow space between the fibers is maintained. For example, when this nonwoven material is used as the top sheet of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, the liquid that has already penetrated through it is prone to a slight backflow from the space between the fibers provided by the dissolution of the liquid film on the surface of the nonwoven material from the skin, depending pressure values (for example, the pressure of the body applied when the wearer sits on an absorbent article, or the like). It is desirable to suppress fluid backflow to as low a value as possible from the point of view of feeling dry on the surface of the nonwoven material in the same manner as for a liquid film.

{0011}

The nonwoven fabric and fiber treatment agent of the present invention cause a decrease in the film of liquid formed between the fibers, with an improvement in the characteristics of a small amount of residual liquid and an improvement in the characteristics of low liquid backflow to realize a dry skin sensation at a higher level. In addition, when using the nonwoven material and the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, an absorbent article can be obtained having the possibility of satisfying both the characteristic of a small amount of residual liquid and the characteristic of low backflow of liquid, and satisfying both the feeling of dry skin, and from a soft texture at a high level.

{0012}

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention contains the following compound and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below.

Compound: a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 or more, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less.

Component (A): An anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1).

Component (B): Polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester.

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group.

{0013}

In the formula, Z represents a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or fewer carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group, and double bond. R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represents a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond. X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0014}

In addition, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention contains the following compound and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B), and component (C) as described above.

Connection: a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, 20 mN / m or less.

{0015}

In addition, the nonwoven material of the present invention contains an agent for breaking a liquid film and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B), and component (C), as described above.

{0016}

The fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains the following compound and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C) as described above, wherein the content of the compound is 50% by mass or less.

Compound: a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 or more, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less.

{0017}

In addition, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains the following compound and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C) as described above, wherein the content of the compound is 50% by mass or less.

Connection: a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, 20 mN / m or less.

{0018}

In addition, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention comprises a liquid film disruption agent and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C) as described above, wherein the content of the film disruption agent liquid is 50% of the mass or less.

{0019}

The fiber treatment agent of the present invention can be used not only as an agent that must be coated and adhered to the fibers before being formed into a nonwoven material, but also as an agent that must be coated and adhered to the fibers in relation to a material formed as a nonwoven fabric using fibers.

The fiber treatment agent of the present invention may contain only the components described above, or may additionally contain other agents in a range in which they do not adversely affect the action described below, or may be a material in a state diluted with a solvent. The degree of dilution can be adjusted accordingly in accordance with the application. In addition, as a solvent, a material that does not adversely affect the subsequent action can be used without any limitation. Specific examples thereof include water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and 1,3-butylene glycol. In particular, when the material is used in the form of a nonwoven material of an absorbent article, taking into account suppression of skin irritation, and the like, water, ethanol, 1,3-butylene glycol or the like is preferred.

{0020}

Liquid film disruption agent means an agent that inhibits the formation of a liquid film by disrupting a liquid film formed between the fibers or on the surface of the fibers of a nonwoven material when a liquid, for example, a liquid, such as a liquid with a relatively high viscosity, including menstrual blood or urine, comes into contact with non-woven material, and has the effect of destruction of the formed liquid film and the effect of inhibiting the formation of the liquid film. The first and second may be referred to as the main effect and the secondary effect, respectively. The destruction of the liquid film is achieved by the action of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film, which forces a part of the layer of the liquid film to destabilize this part. This effect of the agent for destroying the liquid film facilitates the passage of liquid through the nonwoven material without being held in a narrow region between the fibers of the nonwoven material. That is, the liquid film disruption agent serves as a driving force for dissolving the residual liquid in the form of a film between the fibers, and the nonwoven material of the present invention becomes excellent in liquid permeability. Thus, even if the fibers that make up the nonwoven material are made narrower, both softness of the texture and suppression of the retention of residual liquid are achieved to reduce the distance between the fibers. Such a nonwoven fabric can be used, for example, in the form of a top sheet of an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a baby diaper or an incontinence adult diaper.

{0021}

(Liquid film removal properties)

The liquid film disruption agent used in the present invention has liquid film deletion properties, and due to such properties, the liquid film disruption agent can develop the effect of liquid film deletion when the liquid film disruption agent is applied to the test liquid, mainly containing component of plasma or artificial urine (mixed in fractions of 1.940% by weight of urea, 0.795% by weight of sodium chloride, 0.110% by weight of magnesium sulfate, 0.062% by weight of calcium chloride, 0.197% by weight of potassium sulfate, 0.010% by weight of red th № 2 (dye), water (about 96.88 wt%) and a simple polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (0.07% wt), wherein the surface tension is adjusted to 53 ± 1 dyn / cm (23 ° C)). The effect of eliminating a liquid film in this document includes, with respect to a structure in which air is held by a liquid film formed from a test liquid or artificial urine, both the effect of inhibiting the formation of a liquid film of the structure and the effect of eliminating the formed structure, and it can be said that the agent , developing at least one effect, has properties in accordance with which it is possible to develop the effect of eliminating the liquid film.

The test fluid is a fluid component recovered from defibrinated horse blood (manufactured by NIPPON BIO-TEST LABORATORIES INC.). Specifically, if 100 ml of defibrinated horse blood is left to stand at 22 ° C and a humidity of 65% for 1 hour, the defibrinated horse blood is divided into the upper layer and the lower layer, while this upper layer is the test fluid. The upper layer contains mainly the plasma component, and the lower layer contains mainly the blood cell component. To select only the upper layer from defibrinated horse blood, which is divided into the upper layer and the lower layer, you can use, for example, Transfer Pipet (manufactured by Nippon Micro K.K).

Whether a particular agent has “liquid film removal properties” can be judged by a large or small amount of structure, namely, a liquid film, when a state of easy formation of a structure is formed in which the structure contains air held in it by means of a liquid film formed from the fluid or artificial urine to which the agent is applied. That is, a standard sample is obtained by adjusting the temperature of the test fluid or artificial urine to 25 ° C, and then placing 10 g of it in a bottle with a cap on the thread (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation, No. 5, outer diameter: 27 mm, total length: 55 mm). In addition, as a sample for measurements, receive material prepared by adding 0.01 g of agent for the purpose of measurement as previously brought up to 25 ° C to an aliquot identical to the standard sample. After vigorous shaking of the standard sample and the sample for measuring back and forth in the vertical direction of the bottle with the cap on the thread twice, respectively, the samples are directly placed on a horizontal plane. A liquid layer (lower layer) without structure and a structure layer (upper layer) formed from a large number of structures formed on the liquid layer are formed inside the bottle with a cap on the thread after shaking by shaking the samples. After passing 10 seconds from the end time of shaking, the height of the layer of structures (height from the liquid level of the liquid layer to the upper surface of the layer of structures) is measured for both samples. Then, when the height of the layer of structures of the sample for measurements reaches 90% or less with respect to the height of the layer of structures of the standard sample, the target agent for measurements is considered as an agent that affects the destruction of the liquid film.

The liquid film disruption agent used in the present invention is an agent satisfying the properties (an agent that can develop destruction of the liquid film) using a single compound satisfying these properties, a combination of a plurality of individual compounds satisfying these properties, or a combination of a plurality of compounds. That is, an agent for destroying a liquid film means only an agent, a limited material having an effect on the destruction of a liquid film as defined. Accordingly, when the third component, which does not meet the definition, is contained in the compound used in the agent for treating fibers in a nonwoven material, such an agent is different from an agent for destroying a liquid film.

In addition, with respect to the agent for breaking the liquid film and the third component, “separate compound” means a compound in a concept including a compound that has the same compositional formula but has a different molecular weight due to the difference in the number of repeating units.

{0022}

On the other hand, the component (A), (B) or (C) described above provides a nonwoven material with a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity in the thickness direction to create a driving force in order to facilitate the suction of the liquid from the side with a lower degree of hydrophilicity to the side with a higher degree of hydrophilicity.

Specifically, the component (A), (B), or (C) described above is bonded to the surface of the non-woven component fiber to increase the degree of hydrophilicity of the fiber surface compared to the degree before the fiber treatment agent is adhered thereto, and the hydrophilic part of each component penetrates the fiber under the influence of heat treatment, acting in such a way as to create a degree of hydrophilicity with a gradient.

In component (A), the alkyl group is bulky, and component (A) can penetrate the fiber, thereby wrapping the hydrophilic group. In particular, penetration into the fiber is easily facilitated in the presence of polyorganosiloxane.

Component (B) is formed in the form of a structure in which hydrophobic chains are easily arranged radially to easily surround the hydrophilic group, and for this reason, they easily penetrate the fiber, even if the degree of hydrophobicity is higher than that of a surfactant having a regular linear hydrocarbon chain.

Component (C) has both an anionic group and a cationic group, and for this reason, when component (C) is adsorbed on the surface of the fiber, the electrostatic repulsion between components (C) is suppressed, they are brought into a relatively dense state and easily penetrate into the fiber. In addition, component (C) contains a hydroxy group between the anionic group and the cationic group, and for this reason it exerts a hydrogen bond to make it easier to attract components (C) to each other in a dense state. As a result, component (C) can be densely adsorbed on a hot-melt fiber having a small fiber diameter, even with a small amount of addition (small film thickness) to make it possible to give the fiber a high degree of hydrophilicity. In addition, the hydrophilic group has easy accessibility features, and for this reason, the hydrophilic group is easily surrounded by a hydrophobic chain, and component (C) easily penetrates into the fiber.

In addition to this, regarding the ease of penetration of each component into the fiber, there is a relation: component (C) <component (A) <component (B).

{0023}

In addition, in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, when the liquid film breaking agent has a chemical structure in which the main chain contains a silicon atom, for example, a structure containing a polysiloxane chain as the main chain, the liquid film breaking agent causes acceleration of penetration component (A), (B) or (C) containing a hydrocarbon chain into the fiber. It is believed that this acceleration occurs because the alkyl chain of component (A), (B) or (C) is incompatible with the polysiloxane chain, and for this reason, penetrates the hydrophobic hot-melt fiber with which component (A), (B) or (C) receives additional affinity when the fiber is heated and melted.

{0024}

At the stage of heat treatment of a web of fibers or non-woven material, for example, at the stage of pressurizing hot air onto a web, which is one of the steps for producing a non-woven material obtained by bonding by air blowing, as described below, the contact angle for the fiber should vary according to the amount of heat using such an agent for processing fibers. That is, the amount of heat received by the fiber in the web naturally differs between the surface of the boost of hot air and the surface (surface as a whole) on the opposite side. Thus, the amount of heat obtained differs between the surface of the hot air charge on the fiber and the surface on the opposite side of the fiber, and the fiber on the surface of the hot air charge has a reduced degree of hydrophilicity and turns into a fiber having a higher contact angle than the fiber on the surface on the opposite side . This approach is used to enable a gradient of hydrophilicity to be imparted to the nonwoven material, with the hydrophilicity increasing from one side of the surface (the surface in contact with the skin) towards the other side of the surface (the surface is not in contact with the skin).

{0025}

Unless otherwise specified, the hydrophilicity gradient described above means a state in which, compared to the hydrophilicity degree on the side of the liquid receiving surface (for example, a surface in contact with the skin when the nonwoven material is used as the top sheet of a diaper or the like) , the degree of hydrophilicity on the opposite side of the surface (for example, the surface is not in contact with the skin in the upper sheet), in the direction along the thickness of the nonwoven material, is higher. This “gradient” broadly includes various aspects in which there is a difference in the degree of hydrophilicity between the liquid receiving side and the opposite side of the surface, and may exist in the aspect in which the degree of hydrophilicity increases gradually, or in the aspect in which the degree of hydrophilicity increases stepwise .

{0026}

In addition, the method for producing the nonwoven material of the present invention is not limited to the bonding method by blowing air, and an arbitrary heat treatment method can be used insofar as it is a method according to which a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity can be formed using heat.

{0027}

As described above, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can provide a nonwoven material with the effect of breaking the liquid film, and the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity in the thickness direction can be appropriately controlled. In particular, when the agent for breaking the liquid film has a chemical structure in which the main chain contains a silicon atom, for example, a chemical structure containing a polysiloxane chain as the main chain, the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity can be further easily controlled. Thus, in the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the present invention can preferably give various combined forms of the effects of dissolving the residual liquid in the form of a liquid film using an agent for disrupting the liquid film and the effect of suctioning the liquid by a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity.

{0028}

In addition, in the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the liquid film disintegrating agent serves as a driving force for dissolving the residual liquid between the fibers in the form of a liquid film in which the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity in the fiber under the action of component (A), (B) or ( C) acts on the liquid, which is able to easily penetrate between the fibers using the above agent, as a driving force for the liquid to penetrate in one direction, in the thickness direction. In addition, the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity in the fiber under the action of component (A), (B) or (C) acts on it so that it inhibits the reverse flow of the liquid, after it penetrates through it, in the opposite direction (from the side with a higher degree of hydrophilicity to the side with a lower degree), and even if this causes a slight backflow of liquid, the agent for destroying the liquid film does not allow the liquid to remain in the nonwoven material, and the liquid is pumped back to the side with a higher degree of hydrophilicity and. That is, the combination of a liquid film disruption agent and component (A), (B) or (C) synergistically acts on the nonwoven fabric of the present invention as a driving force for liquid to penetrate in one direction.

Thus, the nonwoven material of the present invention causes the suppression of residual fluid at a high level, regardless of any type of fluid characteristics (viscosity), to suppress backflow of fluid in the opposite direction, even under pressure. Accordingly, satisfaction with both the characteristics of a small amount of residual liquid and the characteristics of low backflow of liquid is realized at a high level. In this way, the nonwoven material is imparted liquid permeability by which the nonwoven material can quickly also respond to a new fluid intake. In addition, a non-woven material obtained using thin fibers and having a soft texture, while maintaining a dry skin feel at a high level, can be formed using these characteristics.

{0029}

The fiber treatment agent of the present invention is applied to the constituent fibers in at least a portion of the nonwoven fabric region and is retained. At least the part on which the agent is applied is preferably the part where a particularly large amount of liquid is received. For example, when the nonwoven material of the present invention is applied to the top sheet of an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, the area is an area corresponding to the area of the wearer’s discharge, where the liquid released, such as menstrual blood, is directly received.

Furthermore, with respect to the thickness direction of the nonwoven material of the present invention, the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably contained at least near the surface of the liquid receiving side. In the top sheet of the above example, an agent for disrupting a liquid film is contained at least in place on the side of the skin contact surface, in contact with the skin of the user. On the other hand, component (A), component (B) or component (C) is preferably distributed in the entire direction along the thickness of the layer, whereby it is desirable to provide a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity d.

{0030}

In relation to a nonwoven material, the expression “adhesion of a fiber treatment agent” means that the fiber treatment agent adheres mainly to the surface of the fibers. However, since the fiber treatment agent continues to be present on the surface of the fibers, it is also acceptable that the fiber treatment agent is present inside the fibers or present inside the fibers by internal administration. In particular, from the point of view of the effective development of the action on the liquid film discussed above, from the point of view of imparting a degree of hydrophilicity to the fibers with the help of component (A), (B) or (C) and from the point of view of the production aspect, a large amount of the agent for the destruction of the film the liquid preferably remains on the surface and is preferably formed as an agent in which the water solubility profile is suppressed to the lowest possible level, and moderate hydrophilicity remains (i.e., it is an agent in which Erzhanov hydrophilic groups is preferably controlled). This will be described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, as discussed below.

As a method of adhering the fiber treating agent to the surface of the fibers, any of various commonly used methods can be used without any limitation. Specific examples of the methods include flexographic printing, inkjet printing, intaglio printing, screen printing, spraying and brush coating. These processing methods can be carried out after the fibers are formed into a web by various methods or after the web is processed as a non-woven material or after the non-woven material is assembled as an absorbent article. For example, with respect to the non-woven fabric obtained by dry-air molding, or the like, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is applied to it in the form of a coating after forming the web in the form of a non-woven material.

The fibers or nonwovens on the surface that the fiber treatment agent of the present invention adheres to is dried, for example, using a hot air type dryer, at a temperature significantly lower than the melting temperature of the fiber resin (e.g. 120 ° C or less) . Furthermore, when the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is adhered to the fibers using the bonding method described above, the fiber treatment agent can be used for processing as a solution, liquid emulsion or dispersed liquid, using a solvent, dispersing medium, or the like, of necessity.

In order for the liquid film disruption agent of the present invention to exhibit the effect of the liquid film disruption described below on the nonwoven material, the liquid film disruption agent must be present in a fluid state when the liquid film disruption agent is in contact with the body fluid. Because of this, the melting point of the liquid film breaking agent of the present invention is preferably 40 ° C or less, and more preferably 35 ° C or less. In addition, the melting point of the liquid film breaking agent of the present invention is preferably -220 ° C or more, and more preferably -180 ° C or more.

{0031}

From the point of view of the above exposure, the amount of fiber treatment agent adhered to the nonwoven material of the present invention is preferably 0.10% by mass or more, more preferably 0.15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.20 % mass or more, in terms of the proportion of fiber treatment agent relative to the total mass of nonwoven material, excluding fiber treatment agent. In addition, from the point of view of preventing contamination of the equipment, its upper limit is preferably 5.0% by mass or less, more preferably 3.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 1.0% by mass or less. For example, the amount of fiber treatment agent adhered to the nonwoven material is preferably 0.10% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably, 0.20% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less, in terms of the proportion of fiber treatment agent relative to the total mass of non-woven material, excluding fiber treatment agent.

A preferred proportion of each component in the fiber processing agent of the present invention will be described below.

{0032}

In addition, unless otherwise indicated, a “fiber treatment agent” serving as a reference to the content of a component contained in a fiber treatment agent, such as a liquid film disintegrant, component (A), component (B), and component (C), which is an “agent for processing fibers bonded to a nonwoven fabric” and does not represent an agent for processing fibers before bonding to a nonwoven fabric. When the fiber treatment agent adheres to the nonwoven fabric, a material usually obtained by diluting the fiber treatment agent with a suitable solvent such as water is typically used and, for this reason, the content of the component contained in the fiber treatment agent, for example, the content of the component (A ) in a fiber treatment agent, may refer to the total weight of the fiber treatment agent diluted in it.

{0033}

Below, as preferred embodiments of a nonwoven fabric comprising the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, the following first embodiment and the following second embodiment will be described.

{0034}

(First Embodiment)

The nonwoven fabric of the first embodiment comprises in the agent for processing fibers, together with the component (A), (B) or (C) described above, as an agent for breaking a liquid film, an agent for breaking a liquid film, which is a compound in which the coefficient a liquid spreading having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 15 mN / m or more and solubility in water is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less.

{0035}

The term "spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m" for an agent for disrupting a liquid film means a spreading coefficient for a liquid in the case where an excreted fluid such as menstrual blood and urine is described as described above. “Spreading coefficient” means a value that must be determined based on the following expression (Q1) and from the measured value obtained using the measurement method described below in the range corresponding to the environment at a temperature of 25 ° C and relative humidity (RH) 65% In addition, a liquid film in the expression (Q1) means the liquid phase of a “liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m,” including both the liquid in the state in which the film is formed between the fibers or on the surface of the fibers, and the liquid in the state up to forming a film, which is also referred to simply as liquid. In addition, the surface tension in the expression (Q1) means the tension at the interface, at the interface of the liquid film and the agent for destruction of the liquid film, respectively, with the gas phase, and it differs from the tension at the interface of the agent for destruction of the liquid film and the liquid film between the liquid phases. The same rule of accounting for differences also applies to other descriptions in this document.

S = γ _w - γ _o - γ _wo (Q1)

γ _w : surface tension of a film of liquid (s).

γ _o : surface tension of the agent to destroy the liquid film.

γ _wo : tension at the interface of an agent to destroy a liquid film and a liquid film.

{0036}

According to the expression (Q1), the spreading coefficient (S) of the agent for destroying the liquid film increases when the surface tension (γ _o ) of the agent for destroying the liquid film decreases and when the tension at the interface (γ _wo ) of the agent for destroying the liquid film and liquid film decreases . When the spreading coefficient is 15 mN / m or more, the agent for breaking the liquid film has high mobility, namely, a high diffusion coefficient, on the surface of the liquid film forming in a narrow region between the fibers. From this point of view, the spreading coefficient of the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably 20 mN / m or more, more preferably 25 mN / m or more, and even more preferably 30 mN / m or more. On the other hand, its upper limit is not limited in any way, but according to the expression (Q1), the surface tension of the liquid that forms the liquid film serves as the upper limit of the spreading coefficient of the agent for destroying the liquid film, so the upper limit is 50 mN / m, when using a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, the upper limit value is 60 mN / m, when using a liquid having a surface tension of 60 mN / m and the upper limit composition yaet 70 mN / m when liquid is used having a surface tension of 70 mN / m. For this reason, from the point of view of using a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m in the present invention, the upper limit is 50 mN / m or less.

{0037}

The term “water solubility” of a liquid film breaking agent means a mass (g) of a liquid film breaking agent that can dissolve in 100 g of deionized water, and is a value that must be measured in a range corresponding to the environment at a temperature of 25 ° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 65% based on the measurement method described later. When this solubility in water is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, the agent for destroying the liquid film is poorly soluble and forms an interface with the liquid film, making the diffusion described above more effective. From a similar point of view, the water solubility of the liquid film disrupting agent is preferably 0.0025 g or less, more preferably 0.0017 g or less, and even more preferably less than 0.0001 g. In addition, water solubility is preferably less, and it is 0 g or more, and from the point of view of diffusion on the liquid film, the solubility in water is practically regulated at 1.0 × 10 ^-9 g or more. In addition to this, solubility in water is also believed to apply to menstrual blood, urine or the like, which contains water as the main component.

{0038}

The surface tension (γ _w ) of a liquid film (liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m), the surface tension (γ _o ) of an agent for breaking a liquid film, the tension at the interface (γ _wo ) of an agent for breaking a liquid film with respect to a liquid film , and the water solubility of the liquid film breaking agent is measured using the following methods.

In addition, when the non-woven material of the measurement object is an element (e.g., a top sheet) assembled in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel and a disposable diaper, the non-woven material is selected as described below and measured. That is, an adhesive or the like that is used to bond between the element of the measurement object and other elements in an absorbent article is weakened by means of cooling means, such as spraying a coolant, and then the measurement object element is carefully peeled off and prepared. This removal method is used in the measurement associated with the nonwoven material of the present invention, such as fiber distance and fineness measurements, which will be discussed later.

In addition, when a liquid film disruption agent is measured that is adhered to the fibers, the fibers to which the liquid film disruption agent adheres are first washed with a washing liquid such as hexane, methanol and ethanol, then a solvent (washing solvent containing a film breaking agent liquid) used for washing, dried to release an agent for breaking the film of liquid. The mass of the extracted substance this time is used in calculating the proportion of the content (OPU) of the agent to destroy the liquid film to the mass of fibers. When the amount of the isolated substance is not enough to measure surface tension or the tension at the interface, choose the appropriate column and the appropriate solvent in accordance with the components of the selected substance, and then each component is fractionated using high-performance liquid chromatography, and then MS measurement, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis are performed. or something similar on each fraction to identify the structure of each fraction. In addition, when the agent for destroying the liquid film contains a polymeric compound, a technique such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is used to further simplify the identification of the component. Then, a sufficient amount is obtained by purchase, if the substance is a commercial product, or by synthesis, if the substance is not a commercial product, to measure surface tension or tension at the interface. In particular, regarding the measurement of surface tension and tension at the interface, when the agent for breaking the liquid film obtained as described above is a solid product, the agent for breaking the liquid film is heated to a temperature a melting agent for destroying the liquid film plus 5 ° C to cause a phase transition into the liquid, and the measurement is carried out while maintaining these temperature conditions.

In addition, with respect to the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, when analyzing the components of a fiber treatment agent adhered thereto, the components are preferably analyzed in accordance with the procedures described above.

{0039}

(Method for measuring surface tension (γ _w ) of a liquid film (s))

In the range corresponding to the environment, at a temperature of 25 ° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 65%, the measurement can be carried out using a platinum pallet using the pallet method (Wilhelmy method). As the measuring device for the above case, an “CBVP-Z” automatic surface tension measuring device (trade name, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.) can be used. As a platinum pallet, a pallet having a purity of 99.9% and dimensions of 25 mm in width and 10 mm in length is used.

In the next measurement related to the agent for breaking the liquid film, a solution is used as the “liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m” described above, the solution being brought to 50 ± 1 mN / m by adding polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate to deionized water (for example, the trade name “Leodol Super TW-L120,” is manufactured by Kao Corporation), which is a non-ionic surfactant, using the measurement method described above.

{0040}

(Method for measuring the surface tension (γ _o ) of an agent for breaking a liquid film)

The measurement can be carried out using the same device using the pallet method, in the same way as for measuring the surface tension (γ _w ) of a liquid film, in the range corresponding to the environment, at a temperature of 25 ° C and relative humidity (RH) 65 % In this measurement, as discussed above, when the obtained liquid film destruction agent is solid, the liquid film destruction agent is heated to a melting point of the liquid film destruction agent plus 5 ° C. to cause a phase transition into the liquid, and measurements are carried out while maintaining these temperature conditions.

{0041}

(Method for measuring the tension at the interface surface (γ _wo ) of an agent for destruction of a liquid film and a liquid film)

In the range corresponding to the environment, at a temperature of 25 ° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 65%, the measurement can be carried out using the hanging drop method. As a measuring device in the above case, you can use an automatic device for measuring viscoelasticity at the interface (the trade name “THE TRACKER,” is made by TECLIS-IT CONCEPT; or the trade name “DSA25S,” is made by KRUSS). In the hanging drop method, the adsorption of a non-ionic surfactant contained in a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m begins simultaneously with the formation of the drop, and the tension at the interface decreases with time. For this reason, the tension on the interface is recorded when a drop is formed (at 0 seconds). In addition, in this measurement, as discussed above, when the obtained liquid film disruption agent is solid, the liquid film disruption agent is heated to the melting temperature of the liquid film disruption agent plus 5 ° C. to cause a phase transition to the liquid, and the measurement is carried out while maintaining these temperature conditions.

In addition, when measuring the tension at the interface, when the density difference between the agent for destruction of the liquid film and the liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is very small, when the viscosity is very high or when the value of tension on the interface is equal to or less, than the limit for measuring a hanging drop, in some cases, measuring the tension at the interface using the hanging drop method becomes difficult. In this case, the measurement can be carried out using the method of a rotating drop in the range corresponding to the environment, at a temperature of 25 ° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 65%. As a measuring device in the above case, you can use a device for measuring the tension on the interface with a rotating drop (trade name “SITE100,” is made by KURUSS). In addition, also with respect to the measurement, the tension at the interface is recorded when the droplet shape is stabilized, and when the obtained agent for breaking the liquid film is solid, the agent for breaking the liquid film is heated to the melting temperature of the agent for breaking the liquid film plus 5 ° C to cause phase transition into a liquid, and the measurement is carried out, maintaining these temperature conditions.

In addition, when the tension on the interface can be measured using both measuring devices, a lower value of tension on the interface is used as the measurement results.

{0042}

(Method for measuring the solubility in water of an agent for breaking a liquid film)

In the range corresponding to the environment, at a temperature of 25 ° C and a relative humidity (RH) of 65%, the obtained agent for the destruction of a liquid film gradually dissolves in it, while 100 g of deionized water is mixed with a stirrer, and the dissolved amount at a time when the result of dissolution is not (when suspension, precipitation, precipitation or turbidity is observed) is taken as solubility in water. Specifically, the agent is added in portions of 0.0001 g and a measurement is performed. As a result, for a sample in which the dissolution of the agent in the amount reaching 0.0001 g is not observed, the solubility in water is taken as “less than 0.0001 g”, and for the sample in which the dissolution of the agent in the amount of 0 is observed , 0001 g, and the agent does not dissolve in it in an amount of 0.0002 g, the solubility in water is taken as “0.0001 g”. In addition, when the liquid film disruption agent is a surfactant, the term “dissolution” means both monodisperse dissolution and dissolution in the form of a micellar dispersion, and the dissolved amount at the time of observation of the suspension, precipitation, precipitation or cloudiness is taken ka5k solubility in water.

{0043}

When the agent for destroying a liquid film in the present embodiment has a spreading coefficient and solubility in water, as described above, it can spread without dissolving on the surface of the liquid film and can push the layer of the liquid film away from the center region near the liquid film. Thus, the liquid film is destabilized and destroyed.

{0044}

The above exposure to the agent for destroying a liquid film in a nonwoven fabric in an embodiment of the present document is specifically described with reference to figures 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, an excreted fluid, such as a high viscosity fluid, including menstrual blood and urine, easily forms a fluid film 2 in a narrow region between the fibers. To combat it, the agent for destroying the liquid film destabilizes and destroys the liquid film, as described below, and inhibits the formation of the liquid film, causing drainage of the inner part of the nonwoven material. First, as shown in Figures 2 (A1) and 2 (B1), the agent 3 for the destruction of the liquid film contained in the fibers 1 of the nonwoven material enters the surface of the liquid film 2, while maintaining the interface with the liquid film 2. Then, as shown in Figures 2 (A2) and 2 (B2), the agent 3 for destroying the liquid film displaces part of the liquid film 2, falling into the liquid film 2 in the thickness direction, and as shown in Figures 2 (A3) and 2 ( B3), the agent for breaking the liquid film 3 gradually turns the liquid film 2 into an inhomogeneous and thin film. As a result, as shown in Figures 2 (A4) and 2 (B4), the liquid film 2 is perforated and destroyed in an explosive manner. A shattered film of fluid, such as menstrual blood, forms into a drop of fluid, easily passing through the space between the fibers of the nonwoven material, and the amount of residual fluid is reduced. In addition, the effect of the agent for destroying the liquid film on the liquid film is demonstrated in a similar manner not only on the liquid film between the fibers, but also on the liquid film enveloping the surface of the fibers. That is, the agent for destroying the liquid film can move into the liquid film, enveloping the surface of the fibers, and displaces part of the liquid film by destroying the liquid film. In addition, in the case of a liquid film enveloping the surface of the fibers, the agent for breaking the liquid film can also destroy the liquid film by hydrophobic effects, without even moving from the position where the agent adheres to the fibers, and can inhibit the formation of the liquid film.

{0045}

Thus, in the present invention, the agent for breaking the liquid film causes the liquid to be removed from the inside of the nonwoven material, not by modifying the properties of the liquid, for example, by reducing the surface tension, but by breaking the liquid film itself, formed between the fibers or on the surface of the fibers, in at the same time, displacing the liquid film and inhibiting its formation. In this way, the amount of residual liquid in the nonwoven fabric can be reduced. In addition, if such non-woven material is collected in the absorbent article as a top sheet, fluid retention between the fibers is suppressed and a path is provided for liquid to penetrate the absorbent mass. In this way, liquid permeability is improved, suppressed the flow of liquid on the surface of the sheet and improves the rate of absorption of liquid. In particular, the rate of absorption of a fluid that is easily held between the fibers, such as high viscosity menstrual blood, can be improved. As a result, it is possible to form a comfortable absorbent article of high reliability in which discoloration of the top sheet, such as redness, is imperceptible, and which sufficient absorbency is expected.

{0046}

In addition, in the present embodiment, the tension at the interface of the agent for fracturing a liquid film and a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 20 mN / m or less. This means that the “tension at the interface surface (γ _wo ) of the agent for destroying the liquid film and the liquid film”, which is one of the parameters for determining the spreading coefficient (S) in the expression (Q1) discussed above, is preferably 20 mN / m or less. The spreading coefficient of the agent for destroying the liquid film is improved by suppressing “tension at the interface (γ _wo ) of the agent for destroying the liquid film and the liquid film itself”, and the agent for destroying the liquid film is easily moved from the surface of the fibers in the region near the center of the liquid film, and considered higher exposure becomes clearer. From this point of view, “the tension at the interface with the liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m” and the agent for breaking the liquid film is more preferably 17 mN / m or less, even more preferably 13 mN / m or less even more preferably 10 mN / m or less, particularly preferably 9 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 1 mN / m or less. On the other hand, its lower limit is not in any way limited, and it should be greater than 0 mN / m from the point of view of insolubility in the liquid film. In addition, if the tension at the interface is 0 mN / m, that is, the agent for destroying the liquid film is soluble, the interface between the liquid film and the agent for destroying the liquid film cannot be formed, and for this reason, the expression (Q1) does not occur, and the spreading of the agent does not occur.

According to this expression, the numerical value of the spreading coefficient varies depending on the surface tension of the target fluid. For example, when the surface tension of the target liquid is 72 mN / m, the surface tension of the agent for breaking the liquid film is 21 mN / m; and when the tension on its interface is 0.2 mN / m, the spreading coefficient becomes 50.8 mN / m.

In addition, when the surface tension of the target liquid is 30 mN / m, the surface tension of the agent for breaking the liquid film is 21 mN / m; and when its tension at the interface is 0.2 mN / m, the spreading coefficient becomes 8.8 mN / m.

In any case, for an agent with a spreading coefficient greater, the effect of destruction of the liquid film getting bigger.

In the present description, a numerical value of a surface tension of 50 mN / m is determined. However, even if the surface tension is different, there is no change in the ratio of the numerical value of the spreading coefficient for various substances. For this reason, even if the surface tension of the body fluid should vary depending on the physical condition on that day or something like that, an agent for which the spreading coefficient is greater shows the best effect of the destruction of the liquid film.

{0047}

In addition, in the present embodiment, the surface tension of the liquid film breaking agent is preferably 32 mN / m or less, more preferably 30 mN / m or less, even more preferably 25 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 22 mN / m or less. In addition, the surface tension is preferably less, and its lower limit is not in any way limited. From the point of view of the long-term action of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film, the surface tension is practically 1 mN / m or more.

Even when the surface tension of the target fluid, which forms the fluid film, decreases, the effect of the destruction of the fluid film can be effectively demonstrated by bringing the surface tension of the agent to break the liquid film to a level equal to or less than the range described above.

{0048}

From the point of view of providing performance characteristics of the destruction of the liquid film, the proportion of the content of the agent for destruction of the liquid film in the agent for processing fibers is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 25% by mass or more, in relation to the total weight of the agent for processing fibers. In addition, from the point of view of stability of emulsification of the agent for processing fibers, the proportion of its content is preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably less than 40% by mass, and even more preferably 30% by mass or less. In addition, the proportion of the agent for the destruction of the film of liquid is preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or more and less than 40% by mass, and even more preferably 25% by mass or more and 30% of the mass or less.

{0049}

In a fiber treatment agent, the ratio of the content of component (A) to the liquid film disintegrating agent is preferably from 1: 1.6 to 1: 0.6, and more preferably from 1: 1.3 to 1: 0.9, in terms of mass relations.

{0050}

In an agent for treating fibers, the ratio of the content of component (B) to the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably from 1: 2 to 3: 1, and more preferably from 1: 1 to 2: 1, in terms of the mass ratio.

{0051}

In an agent for treating fibers, the ratio of the content of component (C) to the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably from 1: 1.6 to 1: 0.6, and more preferably from 1: 1.3 to 1: 0.9, in terms of mass relations.

{0052}

(Second Embodiment)

Next, the nonwoven fabric of the second embodiment will be described.

The nonwoven fabric of the second embodiment comprises, in the agent for processing fibers, together with the components (A), (B) or (C) described above, as an agent for destroying a liquid film, an agent for destroying a liquid film, which is a compound with a coefficient the spreading rate for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is more than 0 mN / m, namely, it has a positive value, the solubility in water is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and the tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface stnoe tension of 50 mN / m is 20 mN / m or less. To have “its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m” equal to 20 mN / m or less, as discussed above, means that the diffusion of the agent for breaking the liquid film on the liquid film is improved. Thus, even when the spreading coefficient is relatively small, as in the case where the “spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m” is less than 15 mN / m, the diffusion coefficient is high, and for this reason, a large amount the agent for destroying the liquid film is dispersed in the liquid film from the surface of the fibers, and an effect similar to that in the case of the first embodiment can be carried out by pushing the liquid film in many positions.

In addition, the “spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m”, “solubility in water” and “the tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m” are determined for an agent for breaking a liquid film in the same manner as the first embodiment is determined, and the methods for measuring them are the same.

{0053}

In the present embodiment, from the point of view of an additional effective demonstration of the effect of the agent for breaking the liquid film, “the tension at the interface with the liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m” is preferably 17 mN / m or less, more preferably 13 mN / m or less, even more preferably 10 mN / m or less, even more preferably 9 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 1 mN / m or less. The lower limit is not in any limited way similar to the first embodiment, and from the point of view of insolubility in the film of liquid (liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m), the tension at the interface is practically brought to more than 0 mN / m.

In addition, from the point of view of additional effective demonstration of the effects of the agent for destruction of the liquid film, the "spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m" is preferably 9 mN / m or more, more preferably 10 mN / m or more, and even more preferably 15 mN / m or more. Its upper limit is not in any way limited, but from the point of view in which the surface tension of the liquid that forms the liquid film serves as the upper limit from expression (Q1), the spreading coefficient is essentially 50 mN / m or less.

More preferred ranges of surface tension and water solubility of the liquid film breaking agent coincide with the ranges of the first embodiment.

{0054}

In the nonwoven fabric of the second embodiment, the proportion of the content of each substance from the agent for destroying the liquid film, component (A), component (B) and component (C), relative to the total weight of the agent for processing fibers, is preferably brought to the range of numerical values described the first embodiment. In addition, the ratio of the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film to each substance from component (A), component (B) and component (C) is also preferably brought to the range of numerical values described in the first embodiment.

{0055}

(Anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester)

In the nonwoven fabric of the first embodiment and the nonwoven fabric of the second embodiment, the fiber treatment agent to be used in the present invention preferably further comprises an anionic phosphoric acid ester type surfactant. Thus, the hydrophilicity on the surface of the fibers improves, and the wettability improves, with an increase in the contact area between the liquid film and the agent for breaking the liquid film. In addition to this, since blood and urine contain a surfactant containing a phosphoric acid group that is formed in a living organism, when a surfactant containing a phosphoric acid group is used together with an agent to break down a liquid film, a surfactant shows compatibility. In this case, the agent for destroying the liquid film easily moves into the liquid film, and additional destruction of the liquid film is caused.

In addition, an anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester causes an improvement in characteristics such as passability of the starting materials through the carding machine and uniformity of the web when the nonwoven material is formed after applying a fiber treatment agent containing an anionic surfactant such as phosphoric ester acids on the fibers to make it possible to improve the production of non-woven material and prevent deterioration of its quality. In addition, an anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester can contribute to stabilizing the emulsification of a fiber treatment agent containing a liquid film breaking agent of the present invention.

In the fiber processing agent of the present invention, from the point of view of ensuring the raw materials pass through the carding machine and the uniformity of the web at a predetermined level or higher, the ratio of the content of the agent for breaking the liquid film to the anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester (breaking agent liquid films / anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester) is preferably 1.8 or less, more preferably 1.5 or less, and even more e preferably 1.2 or less, in terms of mass ratio. In addition, from the point of view of ensuring the performance of the destruction of the liquid film at a predetermined level or higher, the ratio of the content is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.25 or more, and even more preferably 0.5 or more.

{0056}

An anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester can be used without any limitation. Specific examples thereof include phosphoric acid alkyl ester, phosphoric acid dialkyl ester and phosphoric acid alkyl ester. First of all, an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid is preferable from the point of view of the function of improving the affinity for the liquid film and ensuring the manufacturability of the nonwoven material.

As the phosphoric acid alkyl ester, various species thereof can be used without any limitation. Specific examples thereof include a saturated carbon chain alkyl ester of phosphoric acid, such as a polyoxyalkylene stearyl ester of phosphoric acid, a polyoxyalkylene myristyl ester of phosphoric acid, a polyoxyalkylene lauryl ester of ester phosphoric acid and polyoxyalkylene palmityl phosphoric acid ester; phosphoric acid alkyl ester containing an unsaturated carbon chain, such as polyoxyalkylene oleyl phosphoric acid ester and polyoxyalkylene palmitoleyl phosphoric acid ester and phosphoric acid alkyl ester containing a side chain in each of its carbon chains. More preferably, the phosphoric acid alkyl ester is a fully or partially neutralized salt of the mono- or dipolyoxyalkylene alkyl ester of phosphoric acid containing a carbon chain of 16-18. In addition, specific examples of polyoxyalkylene include polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, polyoxybutylene and a material in which its constituent monomers are copolymerized. In addition, specific examples of a phosphoric acid alkyl ester salt include an alkali metal salt such as sodium and potassium, ammonium and various amines. As the alkyl ester of phosphoric acid ester, one species of it can be used alone, or two or more species can be mixed and used.

Specific examples of the phosphoric acid alkyl ester include a phosphoric acid alkyl ester containing a saturated carbon chain, such as phosphoric acid stearyl ester, phosphoric acid myristyl ester, phosphoric acid lauryl ester and phosphoric acid palmityl ester; phosphoric acid alkyl ester containing an unsaturated carbon chain, such as phosphoric acid oleyl ester and phosphoric acid palmitoleyl ester; and an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid containing a side chain on each of its carbon chains. More preferably, the phosphoric acid alkyl ester is a fully or partially neutralized salt of the monoalkyl ester of phosphoric acid or the dialkyl ester of phosphoric acid having a carbon chain of 16-18 atoms. In addition, specific examples of the phosphoric acid alkyl ester salt include an alkali metal salt such as sodium and potassium, with ammonium and various amines. As the alkyl ester of phosphoric acid, one species can be used alone, or two or more species can be mixed and used.

{0057}

In terms of cross-carriage and uniformity of the web or the like, the proportion of the content of an anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester in the fiber treating agent adhered to the fibers is preferably 5% by mass or more, and more preferably 10% by weight or more, relative to the total weight of the fiber treatment agent. In addition, from the point of view of preventing the complication of the effect that a substance having a chemical structure containing a silicon atom in the main chain facilitates the penetration of the component containing the hydrocarbon chain into the fibers resulting from the heat treatment, its content ratio is preferably 60% mass or less, and more preferably 30% of the mass or less.

{0058}

Next, specific examples of agents for disrupting a liquid film, a component (A), a component (B) and a component (C), a first embodiment and a second embodiment will be described. Specific examples of liquid film disruption agents described below are within the specific numerical range discussed above so that they have water insolubility or low water solubility properties and exhibit the effects of liquid film disruption described above. In contrast, a surfactant or the like, which should be used as a conventional fiber treatment agent, is basically a water-soluble agent that is almost completely soluble in water and used, and is not an agent for breaking a liquid film according to the present invention.

{0059}

(Agent for the destruction of the liquid film)

As an agent for disrupting a liquid film of a first embodiment and a second embodiment, a compound having a weight average molecular weight of 500 or more is preferred. The weighted average molecular weight strongly affects the viscosity of the agent for breaking the liquid film. The agent for destroying the liquid film hardly drains when the liquid passes through the space between the fibers due to the preservation of high viscosity, and it is also possible to maintain the long-term effect of the destruction of the liquid film in the nonwoven material. From the point of view of adjusting the viscosity at the level at which the impact of the destruction of the liquid film is sufficiently long-term, the weighted average molecular weight of the agent for disrupting a liquid film is more preferably 1000 or more, even more preferably 1500 or more, and particularly preferably 2000 or more. On the other hand, from the point of view of adjusting the viscosity at a level at which there is a migration of the agent for destroying the liquid film from fibers containing the agent for destroying the liquid film placed on them into the liquid film, namely diffusion, its weight average molecular weight is preferably 50,000 or less, more preferably 20,000 or less, and even more preferably 10,000 or less. The weighted average molecular weight is measured using a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) chromatograph “CCPD” (trade name, manufactured by TOSOH CORPORATION). The measurement conditions are described below. In addition, the calculation of the equivalent molecular weight is carried out using polystyrene.

Separation column: GMHHR-H + GMHHR-H (cationic)

Eluent: L FAMIN DM20 / CHCl3

Solvent flow rate: 1.0 ml / min

Separation column temperature: 40 ° C

{0060}

In addition, as an agent for destroying a liquid film of a first embodiment, as discussed below, a compound having at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of the following structures X, X-Y and Y-X-Y is preferred.

Structure X denotes a siloxane chain having a structure in which any of the basic structures> C (A) - (C denotes a carbon atom, in addition, <,> and -, each, denotes a chemical bond below, hereinafter referred to the same) , -C (A) ₂ -, -C (A) (B) -,> C (A) -C (R ¹ ) <,> C (R ¹ ) -, -C (R ¹ ) (R ² ) -, -C (R ¹ ) ₂ -,> C <, -Si (R ¹ ) ₂ O- and -Si (R ¹ ) (R ² ) O- are repeated, or two or more of their species are combined; or a mixed chain of them. Structure X contains at the end of structure X, a hydrogen atom or at least one type of group selected from the group consisting of —C (A) ₃ , —C (A) ₂ B, —C (A) (B) _2, -C (A) ₂ -C (R ¹ ) ₃ , -C (R ¹ ) ₂ A, -C (R ¹ ) ₃ , -OSi (R ¹ ) ₃ , -OSi (R ¹ ) ₂ (R ² ) , -Si (R ¹ ) ₃ and -Si (R ¹ ) ₂ (R ² ).

R described above^one and R²each independently represent different substituents, such as a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 to 20, for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group or a propyl group is preferred), an alkoxy group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, a methoxy group or ethoxy group is preferred), an aryl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 6 to 20, for example, a phenyl group is preferably ) And halogen atom (e.g., fluorine atom is preferred). A and B, each independently, are a substituent containing an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom, such as a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, an imino group, and a phenolic group. When there are many R^one, R², A and B, for each of them, X in the structure can be the same or different. In addition, continuous communication between C (carbon atoms) or between Si is usually a single bond, but may include a double bond or a triple bond, and the bond between C or between Si may include a linking group, such as an ether group (-O-), an amide group ( -CONR^A-: R^A represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent group), an ester group (-COO-), a carbonyl group (-CO-) or a carbonate group (-OCOO-). The number of bonds of one C and one Si with any other C or Si is from 1 to 4, and the long-chain silicone chain (siloxane chain) or mixed chain may be branched or may have a radial structure.

Y denotes a hydrophilic group having hydrophilicity, the group contains an atom selected from a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a phosphorus atom or a sulfur atom. Specific examples thereof include a hydrophilic group per se, such as a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, an imino group, a phenolic group, a polyoxyalkylene group (the number of carbon atoms of the oxyalkylene group is preferably from 1 to 4, for example, polyoxyethylene ( POE) group, polyoxypropylene (POP) group are preferred), sulfonic acid group, sulfate group, phosphoric acid group, sulfobetainic group, carbobetainic group, phosphobetainic group na (betaine betaine group means a residue group formed by removing one hydrogen atom from each betaine compound) and a quaternary ammonium group; or a hydrophilic group formed from a combination thereof. In addition to this, their specific examples also include a group and a functional group from those listed in M ¹ , as discussed below. In addition to this, when the set Y exists, these groups may be the same or different.

In structures XY and YXY, Y binds to X or to a group at the end of X. When Y binds to a group at the end of X, for example, a group at the end of X binds to Y after removal of hydrogen atoms, and the like, in an amount identical to the number of bonds with Y.

In this structure, the spreading coefficient discussed above, solubility in water and tension at the interface can be made satisfactory by selecting the hydrophilic groups Y, A and B from the groups specifically described. Thus, the target effect of the destruction of the liquid film is developed.

{0061}

In the above-described liquid film disruption agent, a compound in which structure X contains a siloxane structure is preferred. In addition, as specific examples of the above structures X, XY, and YXY in the agent for breaking the liquid film, a compound containing a siloxane chain in which the structures represented by any of the following Formulas (1) to (11) are combined arbitrarily, is preferred. In addition, from the point of view of the effects of destruction of the liquid film, it is preferable that the compound has a weighted average molecular weight in the range discussed above.

{0062}

{0063}

In Formulas (1) to (11), M ¹ , L ¹ , R ^21, and R ²² denote the following monovalent or polyvalent (divalent or higher valency) group. R ²³ and R ²⁴ denote the following monovalent or polyvalent (divalent or higher valency) group or single bond.

M ¹ is a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, a group containing a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them, an erythritol group, a xylitol group, a sorbitol group, a hydrophilic group having a plurality of hydroxy groups such as a glycerol group or an ethylene glycol group (hydrophilic group, formed by removing one hydrogen atom from the compound described above having multiple hydroxy groups such as erythritol), a hydroxy group, a carbon group acid, mercapto group, alkoxy group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1-20, for example, a methoxy group is preferred), an amino group, an amide group, an imino group, a phenolic group, a sulfonic acid group, a quaternary ammonium group, a sulfobetainic group, a hydroxysulfobetainic group, a phosphobetainic group, an imidazolium betaine group, a carbobetaine group, an epoxy group, a carbinol group, a (meth) acrylic group, or a functional group in combination with them. In addition, when M ¹ is a polyvalent group, M ¹ denotes a group formed by additionally removing one or more hydrogen atoms from each of the groups or from a functional group, as discussed above.

L ¹ denotes a linking group from an ether group, an amino group (the amino group used as L ¹ is represented by> NR ^C (R ^C represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent group)), an amide group, an ester group, a carbonyl group or a carbonate group .

R ²¹ , R ²² , R ²³ and R ²⁴ each independently represent an alkyl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, 2-ethylhexyl group, nonyl group or decyl group is preferred), alkoxy group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 to 20, for example, methoxy group or ethoxy group is preferred), aryl group PRP (number of carbon atoms is preferably from 6 to 20, e.g., a phenyl group is preferable), a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a halogen atom (e.g., fluorine atom is preferred). In addition, when R ²² and R ²³ are a polyvalent group, R ²² and R ²³ are a polyvalent hydrocarbon group formed by additionally removing one or more hydrogen atoms or fluorine atoms from the hydrocarbon group described above.

In addition, when R ²² or R ²³ is bonded to M ¹ , specific examples of a group used as R ²² or R ²³ include, in addition to each group, a hydrocarbon group or a halogen atom described above, an imino group used as R ³² .

First of all, the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably a compound having a structure represented by any of Formulas (1), (2), (5) and (10) as X and having a structure represented by any of the above formulas other, than these formulas, as a group formed at the end of X or formed at the end of X and Y. In addition, the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably a compound containing a siloxane chain having at least one structure represented by any of described x above Formulas (2) (4), (5), (6), (8) and (9), as a group formed of X or formed from endings X and Y.

{0064}

Specific examples of the compounds described above include organically modified silicone (polysiloxane) silicone-based surfactants. Specific examples of organically modified silicone modified with a chemically active organic group include amino-modified silicone, epoxy-modified silicone, carboxy-modified silicone, diol-modified silicone, carbinol-modified silicone, (meth) acrylic-modified silicone, mercapto -modified silicone and phenol-modified silicone. In addition, specific examples of organically-modified silicone modified with a chemically inactive organic group include polyether modified silicone (including polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone), methyl styryl-modified silicone, long-chain alkyl-modified silicone, higher fatty acid ester-modified silicone, higher alkoxy modified silicone; higher fatty acid modified silicone; and fluorine modified silicone. The spreading coefficient at which the above effect of the destruction of the liquid film is carried out, can be obtained by a corresponding change in the molecular weight of the silicone chain, the ratio of the modification, the number of moles of the modifying group added or the like in accordance with species, for example, organically modified silicone. The term “long chain” as used herein means a material in which the number of carbon atoms is 12 or more, and preferably from 12 to 20. In addition, the term “higher” means a material in which the number of carbon atoms is 6 or more, and preferably , from 6 to 20.

First of all, a modified silicone having a structure in which the agent for breaking the liquid film is a modified silicone, contains at least one oxygen atom in a modifying group, such as polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone, and an epoxy-modified silicone, carbinol-modified silicone and diol-modified silicone are preferred, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone is particularly preferred. Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone almost does not penetrate the fibers and is easy to hold on their surface, since the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone contains a polysiloxane chain. In addition, with respect to the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone, the affinity with water is improved, and the tension at the interface is low due to the presence of a hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene chain, and therefore, movement of the liquid film on the surface of the film is easily caused, as discussed above, and this is preferred. In addition, even if melting treatment such as embossing is used, the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone easily remains on the surface of the fibers in this part, and the effect of the destruction of the liquid film almost does not decrease. The impact of destruction of the liquid film sufficiently developed, in particular, in the part with embossing, in which liquid can easily accumulate, and therefore this case is preferable.

{0065}

Specific examples of polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone include compounds represented by the following Formulas [I] to [IV]. In addition, the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone preferably has a weight average molecular weight in the above range from the point of view of the effects of destruction of the liquid film.

{0066}

{0067}

{0068}

{0069}

{0070}

In Formulas, R ³¹ is an alkyl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 to 20, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, 2-ethyl-hexyl group, nonyl group or decyl group is preferred). R ³² is a single bond or an alkylene group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 to 20, such as a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group or a butylene group is preferred), and preferably is an alkylene group. The plurality of R ³¹ and the plurality of R ³² may be, each, the same or different. M ¹¹ denotes a group containing a polyoxyalkylene group, and a polyoxyalkylene group is preferred. Specific examples of the polyoxyalkylene groups described above include a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, or a material in which their constituent monomers are copolymerized. Then, m and n each independently represent an integer of 1 or more. In addition to this, the designation of these repeating units is defined separately in each of the formulas [I] - [IV], and they do not always represent the same integers, and they can be different.

{0071}

In addition, the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone may contain any modifying group for polyoxyethylene modification and polyoxypropylene modification, or both of them. In addition, the modified silicone preferably contains a methyl group in R³¹ as the alkyl group of the silicone chain, to obtain insolubility in water and low tension at the interface. The material containing this modifying group or silicone chain is not in any way limited, but the materials described in the paragraphs {0006} and {0012} in JP-A-2002-161474 are illustrations thereof. Other specific examples thereof include polyoxyethylene (POE) -polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone, polyoxyethylene (POE) -modified silicone and polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone. Specific examples of POE-modified silicone include POE (3) -modified dimethyl silicone, to which 3 moles of POE are added. Specific examples of POP-modified silicone include POP (10) -modified dimethyl silicone, POP (12) -modified dimethyl silicone, and POP (24) -modified dimethyl silicone, to which 10 moles of POP, 12 moles of POP and 24 moles of POP are added, respectively.

{0072}

The spreading coefficient and solubility in water in the first embodiment discussed above can be adjusted in predetermined ranges, for example, in polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone - by adding the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene groups (the number of binding oxyalkylene groups that form the polyoxyalkylene group, relative to 1 mole of polyoxyalkylene -modified silicone), following a modification relationship or the like. In this liquid film breaking agent, the surface tension and the tension at the interface can be adjusted in predetermined ranges in the same manner, respectively.

From the point of view described above, the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene groups added is preferably 1 or more. When the amount is less than 1, the tension at the interface increases too much for the above-described effects of the destruction of the liquid film, causing a decrease in the spreading coefficient, and for this reason, the effect of the destruction of the liquid film is weakened. From this point of view, the number of moles added is more preferably 3 or more, and even more preferably 5 or more. On the other hand, if the number of moles added is too large, the agent for breaking the liquid film becomes hydrophilic, and the solubility in water increases. From this point of view, the number of moles added is preferably 30 or less, more preferably 20 or less, and even more preferably 10 or less.

If the modification ratio of the modified silicone is too small, the hydrophilicity is degraded, and for this reason, the modification ratio is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 10% or more, and even more preferably 20% or more. Furthermore, if the modification ratio is too large, the agent for breaking the liquid film is dissolved in water, and for this reason, the modification ratio is preferably 95% or less, more preferably 70% or less, and even more preferably 40% or less. In addition, the modification ratio of the modified silicone means the fraction of the number of repeating units of the binding part of the modified siloxane relative to the total number of repeating units of the binding part of the siloxane in one molecule of the modified silicone. For example, the modification ratio is expressed by the expression: (n / m + n) × 100% in Formulas [I] and [IV], the expression: (2 / m) × 100% in Formula [II] and the expression: (1 / m) × 100% in Formula [III].

In addition, the spreading coefficient and solubility in water, discussed above, each can be set in a predetermined range, in addition to the material described above, for example, in a polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone, by using together a water-soluble polyoxyethylene group and a water-insoluble polyoxypropylene group, and a water-insoluble a polyoxybutylene group as a modifying group, by changing the molecular weight of the water-insoluble silicone chain; introducing an amino group, an epoxy group, a carboxy group, a hydroxy group, a carbinol group or the like into it, in addition to the polyoxyalkylene modification, as a modifying group; or something like that.

{0073}

The polyalkylene-modified silicone used as an agent for breaking a liquid film is preferably contained at 0.02% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less in terms of the proportion of content (Oil Per Unit (sizing of the fiber)) relative to the weight of the fibers. The OPU content of the polyalkylene-modified silicone is more preferably 1.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.40% by mass or less. Thus, the stickiness of the nonwoven material is prevented and the resulting product has a preferred texture. In addition, from the point of view of an effective demonstration of the effects of destruction of the liquid film polyalkylene-modified silicone, the content fraction (OPU) is more preferably 0.04% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.10% by mass or more.

{0074}

As an agent for destroying a liquid film of a second embodiment, as discussed below, a compound containing at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of the following structures Z, Z-Y and Y-Z-Y is preferred.

Structure Z denotes a hydrocarbon chain having a structure in which any of the basic structures> C (A) - (C: carbon atom), -C (A) ₂ -, -C (A) (B) -,> C ( A) -C (R ³ ) <,> C (R ³ ) -, -C (R ³ ) (R ⁴ ) -, -C (R ³ ) ₂ - and> C <, or two or more of their species are combined . The Z structure has, at one end thereof, a hydrogen atom or at least one type of group selected from the group consisting of —C (A) ₃ , —C (A) ₂ B, —C (A) (B) _{2 ,} -C (A) ₂ -C (R ³ ) ₃ , -C (R ³ ) ₂ A and -C (R ³ ) ₃ .

The above R ³ and R ⁴ each independently represent different types of substituents, such as a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, 2-ethyl-hexyl group, nonyl group or decyl group is preferred), alkoxy group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, methoxy PPA or ethoxy group is preferred), an aryl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 6-20, for example, a phenyl group is preferred), a fluoroalkyl group or an aralkyl group, or a hydrocarbon group in combination with them or a fluorine atom. A and B each independently represent a substituent containing an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom, such as a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, an imino group or a phenolic group. When a plurality of R ³ , R ⁴ , A or B is included in structure X, each of them may be the same or different. In addition, continuous bonds between C (carbon atom) is usually a single bond, but may include a double bond or a triple bond, and the bond between C may include a linking group such as an ether group, an amide group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, or carbonate group. The number of bonds of one C with any other C is 1-4, and the long chain hydrocarbon chain may have a branched structure or may have a radial structure.

Y denotes a hydrophilic group having hydrophilicity, the hydrophilic group contains an atom selected from a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a phosphorus atom and a sulfur atom. Specific examples thereof include: a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, an imino group and a phenolic group; a polyoxyalkylene group (the number of carbon atoms of the oxyalkylene group is preferably 1 to 4, for example, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, or a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them is preferred); a hydrophilic group having many hydroxy groups, such as an erythritol group, a xylitol group, a sorbitol group, a glycerol group and an ethylene glycol group; a hydrophilic group per se, such as a sulfonic acid group, a sulfate group, a phosphoric acid group, a sulfobetainic group, a carbobetainic group, a phosphobetainic group, a quaternary ammonium group, an imidazolium betaine group, an epoxy group, a carbinol group, and a methacrylic group; or a hydrophilic group formed from a combination thereof. In addition to this, when Y is many, the groups in this set may be the same or different.

In the structures ZY and YZY, Y is associated with Z or with a group at the end of Z. When Y is connected with a group at the end of Z, the group at the end of Z is associated with Y, for example, after removal of hydrogen atoms, and the like, in an amount identical to the number of bonds with Y.

In this structure, the requirements for spreading coefficient, solubility in water, and tension at the interface discussed above can be satisfied by selecting the hydrophilic groups Y, A, and B from the specifically described groups. Thus, the target effect of the destruction of the liquid film is developed.

{0075}

The liquid film disruption agent is preferably a compound obtained by arbitrarily combining the structures represented by any of the following Formulas (12) to (25) as specific examples of Z, Z-Y and Y-Z-Y structures. In addition, from the point of view of the effect of destruction of the liquid film, it is preferable that this compound has a weighted average molecular weight in the above range.

{0076}

{0077}

In Formulas (12) to (25), M ² , L ² , R ⁴¹ , R ⁴² and R ⁴³ denote the following monovalent or polyvalent (divalent or higher valency) groups.

M ² is a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, a group containing a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them, an erythritol group, a xylitol group, a sorbitol group, a hydrophilic group having many hydroxy groups, such as a glycerol group or an ethylene glycol group, a hydroxy group, carboxylic acid group, mercapto group, alkoxy group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, a methoxy group is preferred), amino group, amide group, imino group, phenolic group, sulfonic acid group, quaternary ammonium group, sulfobetainic group, hydroxysulfobetainic group, phosphobetainic group, imidazolium betaine group, carbobetainic group, epoxy group, carbinol group, (meth) acrylic group or functional group in combination with them.

L ² is a linking group such as an ether group, an amino group, an amide group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carbonate group, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group or a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them.

R ⁴¹ , R ⁴² and R ⁴³ each independently represent different substituents, such as a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group , pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, 2-ethyl-hexyl group, nonyl group or decyl group is preferred), alkoxy group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 1 to 20, for example, methoxy group or ethoxy group PPA is preferred), an aryl group (the number of carbon atoms is preferably from 6 to 20, for example, a phenyl group is preferred), a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a halogen atom (for example, a fluorine atom is preferred).

When R ⁴² is a polyvalent group, R ⁴² is a group formed by further removing one or more hydrogen atoms from each substituent described above.

In addition to this, at the end of the chemical bond described in each structure, any other structure may optionally be attached or a hydrogen atom may be introduced.

{0078}

In addition, specific examples of the above compounds include the following compounds, but not limited to.

First, examples thereof include a compound of a polyether and a nonionic surfactant. Specific examples thereof include a polyoxyalkylene alkyl (POA) ether represented by any of the formulas in Formula [V]; polyoxyalkylene glycol which is represented by Formula [VI] and has a weight average molecular weight of 1000 or more, Steareth, Beheneth, simple PPG (polyethylene glycol) myristyl ether, simple PPG stearyl ether and simple PPG behenyl ether. As the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, lauryl ether is preferable to which 3 mol or more and 24 mol or less POP, and preferably 5 mol, or the like are added. As the polyether compound, polypropylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of from 1000 to 10000, and preferably 3000, to which polypropylene glycol is added in an amount of 17 mol or more and 180 mol or less, and a preferred amount of about 50 mol or something like that. In addition, the measurement of the weighted average molecular weight can be carried out using the measurement method discussed above.

{0079}

The polyether compounds or non-ionic surfactant is preferably contained at 0.10% by mass or more and at 5.0% by mass or less in terms of a fraction of the content (Oil Per Unit) with respect to the weight of the fibers. The proportion (OPU) of a polyester compound or a nonionic surfactant is more preferably 1.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.40% by mass or less. Thus, the stickiness of the nonwoven material is prevented and the resulting product has a preferred texture. In addition, from the point of view of an effective demonstration of the effects of destruction of the liquid film under the action of a polyether compound or a non-ionic surfactant, the content fraction (OPU) is more preferably 0.15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.20% by mass or more.

{0080}

{0081}

{0082}

In Formulas, L ²¹ is a linking group, such as an ether group, an amino group, an amide group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carbonate group, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group or a polyoxybutylene group, or a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them. R ⁵¹ represents various substituents such as a hydrogen atom, methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, isopropyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, 2-ethylhexyl group, nonyl group, decyl group, methoxy group, ethoxy a group, a phenyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a fluorine atom. In addition, a, b, m and n, each independently, are an integer of 1 or more. C _m H _n in this document denotes an alkyl group (n = 2m + 1), and C _a H _b denotes an alkylene group (a = 2b). In addition to this, the number of carbon atoms and the number of hydrogen atoms, each, are independently determined in each of the formulas [V] and [VI], and they are not always an identical integer, and they can be different. Below, the same rule also applies to m, m ', m'', n, n' and n '' in Formulas [VII] - [XV]. In addition to this, “m” in - (C _a H _b O) _m - is an integer of 1 or more. The values of the repeating units, each, are independently determined in each of the formulas [V] and [VI], and they do not always represent an identical integer, and they can be different.

{0083}

The spreading coefficient, surface tension, and water solubility described above of the second embodiment can each be set in a predetermined range for connecting a polyether or a nonionic surfactant, for example, using the number of moles of a polyoxyalkylene group or the like. From this point of view, the number of moles of the polyoxyalkylene group is preferably 1 or more and 70 or less. When the amount is less than 1, the tension on the interface is high, and the above effect of the destruction of the liquid film weakens. From this point of view, the number of moles is more preferably 5 or more, and even more preferably 7 or more. On the other hand, the amount of moles added is preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 or less, and even more preferably 50 or less. Thus, the entanglement of molecular chains is moderately attenuated, and the diffusion of the agent in the liquid film is excellent, and this is preferred.

In addition, the spreading coefficient, surface tension, the tension at the interface and the solubility in water, described above, each can be set in a predetermined range for connecting a polyester or non-ionic surfactant, by using together a water-soluble polyoxyethylene group and a water-insoluble polyoxypropylene group and a water-insoluble polyoxybutylene group, by changing the chain length for the hydrocarbon chain, by using a material having chain branching present in the hydrocarbon chain, by using a material having a double bond in the hydrocarbon chain, by using a material having a benzene ring or naphthalene ring in the hydrocarbon chain, by an appropriate combination of all the above, or the like.

{0084}

Secondly, examples include a hydrocarbon compound containing 5 or more carbon atoms. From the point of view that the spreading on the surface of the liquid film is further enhanced in a fluid state, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 100 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. The hydrocarbon compound, excluding polyorganosiloxane, is not limited to a straight chain only and may have a branched chain, while the chain is not limited to any saturated chain or unsaturated chain. In addition, the hydrocarbon compound may contain a substituent such as an ester and an ether, in its middle part and at the end. First of all, a hydrocarbon compound in a fluid at ordinary temperature is preferred and is used on its own. The hydrocarbon compound is preferably contained at 0.10% by mass or more and at 5.0% by mass or less, in terms of a fraction of the content (Oil Per Unit) relative to the weight of the fibers. The proportion (OPU) of the hydrocarbon compound is preferably 1.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.99% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.40% by mass or less. Thus, stickiness of the surface material is prevented, and the resulting product has a preferred texture. In addition, from the point of view of an effective demonstration of the effects of destruction of the liquid film using the proportion of the hydrocarbon compound, the proportion of the content (OPU) is more preferably 0.15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 0.20% by mass or more.

{0085}

Examples of the hydrocarbon compound include oil or fat, such as natural oil or natural fat. Specific examples thereof include palm oil, camellia oil, castor oil, coconut oil, corn oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, tall oil, and mixtures thereof.

In addition, specific examples thereof include a fatty acid as represented by Formula (VII), such as caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, behenic acid, and mixtures thereof.

{0086}

{0087}

In Formula [VII], m and n each independently represent an integer equal to 1 or more. C _m H _n herein refers to a hydrocarbon group of a fatty acid as described above.

{0088}

Examples of a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated, or substituted or unsubstituted ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid or a mixture of an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid include a glycerol ester of a fatty acid or a pentaerythritol ester of a fatty acid as represented by Formula [ VIII-I] or [VIII-II], and specific examples thereof include glyceryl tricaprilate, glyceryl tripalmitate, and mixtures thereof. In addition to this, a certain amount of the monoester, diester and triester is usually mixed with a glycerol ester of a fatty acid or a pentaerythritol ester of a fatty acid. Specific preferred examples of glycerol fatty acid ester include a mixture of glyceryl tricaprylate and glyceryl tricapriate. In addition, from the point of view of reducing the tension on the interface to obtain a higher spreading coefficient, an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid can be used in which a polyoxyalkylene group is introduced to such an extent that water insolubility can be maintained.

{0089}

{0090}

{0091}

In Formulas [VIII-I] and [VIII-II], m, m ′, m ″, n, n ′ and n ″, each independently represents an integer equal to 1 or more. The set m or the set n, each, can be the same or different. C _m H _n, Sm'H _n 'and Sm''H _n' ', each herein is a hydrocarbon group of a fatty acid as described above.

{0092}

Examples of a fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids in which a straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid forms a polyol and an ester with a polyol containing a large number of hydroxy groups, and some hydroxy groups are left without esterification, include a partially esterified glycerol ester product and a fatty acid, a sorbitan fatty acid ester or a pentaerythritol fatty acid ester, as represented by any of the formulas in Formula [IX], any of the formulas in Forms ole [X] or any of the formulas in Formula [XI]. Specific examples thereof include ethylene glycol mono-myristate, ethylene glycol dimyristate, ethylene glycol palmitate, ethylene glycol dipalmitate, glyceryl di-myristate, glyceryl dipalmitate, glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monolithol, In addition to this, a certain amount of a fully esterified compound is typically introduced into a mixture formed from a partially esterified product of a glycerol ester and a fatty acid, a sorbitan fatty acid ester, a fatty acid pentaerythritol ester or the like.

{0093}

{0094}

In Formula [IX], m and n each independently represent an integer equal to 1 or more. The set m or the set n, each, can be the same or different. C _m H _n herein refers to a hydrocarbon group of a fatty acid as described above.

{0095}

{0096}

In Formula [X], R ⁵² is a straight or branched chain or saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group (alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group or the like) containing 2 or more and 22 or less carbon atoms. Specific examples thereof include a 2-ethylhexyl group, a lauryl group, myristyl group, palmityl group, stearyl group, behenyl group, oleyl group and linoleic group.

{0097}

{0098}

In Formula [XI], m and n each independently represent an integer equal to 1 or more. The set m or the set n, each, can be the same or different. C _m H _n herein refers to a hydrocarbon group of a fatty acid as described above.

{0099}

In addition, examples include sterol, phytosterol and a sterol derivative. Specific examples thereof include cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol and mixtures thereof, each of which has the sterol structure of Formula [XII].

{0100}

{0101}

Specific examples of the alcohol include lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof, as represented by Formula [XIII].

{0102}

{0103}

In Formula [XIII], m and n each independently represent an integer equal to 1 or more. C _m H _n herein refers to a hydrocarbon group of the above alcohol.

{0104}

Specific examples of the fatty acid ester include isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, cetylethyl hexanoate, triethyl hexanoin, octyldodecyl myristate, ethyl hexyl palmitate, ethyl hexyl stearate, butyl stearate, myristyl myristate, stearyl stearate, stearyl stearate, stearyl stearate, stearyl stearate, stearyl stearate, stearyl stearate, stearyl stearate, and stearyl stearate stearate stearyl stearate stearyl stearate stearyl stearate stearyl stearate stearate stearyl stearate stearyl stearate stearyl stearate stearate stearyl stearate.

{0105}

{0106}

In Formula [XIV], m and n each independently represent an integer equal to 1 or more. The two parts of C _m H _n in this document may be the same or different. C _m H _n in C _m H _n —COO— denotes the hydrocarbon group of each fatty acid described above. C _m H _n in —COOC _m H _n denotes a hydrocarbon group derived from an alcohol that forms an ester.

{0107}

In addition, specific examples of waxes include ceresin, paraffin, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and liquid isoparaffin, as represented by Formula [XV].

{0108}

{0109}

In Formula [XV], m and n each independently represent an integer equal to 1 or more.

{0110}

The spreading coefficient, surface tension, solubility in water and the tension at the interface of the second embodiment, each, as described above, can be set in a predetermined range, in the hydrocarbon compound described above, containing 5 carbon atoms or more, for example, by introducing a small the amount of hydrophilic polyoxyethylene group in it to such an extent that it is possible to maintain insolubility in water by introducing a polyoxypropylene group or an oloxybutylene group which is hydrophobic but can lower the tension at the interface by changing the chain length for the hydrocarbon chain by using a material having a chain branching in the hydrocarbon chain, by using a material having a double bond in the hydrocarbon chain, by using a material having benzene a ring or a naphthalene ring in a hydrocarbon chain or the like.

{0111}

In the nonwoven material of the present invention, in addition to the above-described agent for destroying a liquid film, other components may also be contained, if necessary. Further, the liquid film disintegrating agent of the first embodiment and the liquid film disintegrating agent of the second embodiment can be used in combination, in addition to the separate use aspect. In this regard, the same rule also applies to the first compound and to the second compound in the agent for breaking the liquid film of the second embodiment.

{0112}

In addition, specific examples of component (A), component (B), or component (C) in the fiber processing agent of the first embodiment and the second embodiment include materials as described below.

{0113}

(Component (A))

The anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1) in component (A) means a component that does not contain an anionic phosphoric acid ester type surfactant. In addition, as component (A), one species may be used alone, or two or more species may be mixed and used.

{0114}

In Formula (S1), Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or fewer carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, a simple group ether and double bond. R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond. X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0115}

Specific examples of an anionic surfactant in which X in Formula (S1) is —SO ₃ M, that is, a hydrophilic group is a sulfo group, or a salt thereof, may include dialkyl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof. The number of carbon atoms in each of the two-chain alkyl groups in the dialkyl sulfonic acid is preferably 4 or more and 14 or less, and particularly preferably 6 or more and 10 or less.

Specific examples of an anionic surfactant in which X in Formula (S1) is —OSO ₃ M, that is, a hydrophilic group is a sulfate group or a salt thereof, may include a dialkyl sulfate ester.

Specific examples of an anionic surfactant in which X in Formula (S1) is —COOM, that is, a hydrophilic group is a carboxy group or a salt thereof, may include a dialkyl carboxylic acid.

Specific examples of the compound include the materials described in paragraphs {0034} to {0041} in WO 2014/171388.

{0116}

As discussed above, a fiber treatment agent containing component (A) is used together with an agent to break down a liquid film. Thus, the hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric treated with this fiber treatment agent is easily reduced by heat treatment. The reason is that this is affected by the ease of penetration of component (A) into the fibers during heat treatment, as discussed above, and in addition, when the agent for breaking the liquid film has a main chain containing a silicon atom, for example, a polysiloxane chain, part of it further facilitates, in particular, the penetration of an anionic surfactant containing two or more alkyl chains into the fibers. Thus, the degree of hydrophilicity of the fiber surface is easily reduced by heat treatment. This decrease is estimated to be due to the fact that the alkyl chain of the anionic surfactant is incompatible with the polysiloxane chain, and for this reason, the anionic surfactant penetrates hydrophobic hot-melt fibers, which have a greater affinity for it when the fibers heat and melt .

{0117}

(Component (B))

The polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid of component (B) is a material blended into a fiber treatment agent for the purpose of further noticeably reducing the degree of hydrophilicity by heat treatment during production of the nonwoven material, namely, to significantly reduce the hydrophilicity of a given portion of the nonwoven material, it is a type of non-ionic surfactant. The polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester is a type of polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester obtained by esterification of a hydroxy group of a polyhydric alcohol with a fatty acid, and is a modified product obtained by adding alkylene oxide to this polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester . The polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid can be obtained according to the usual method, and it can be obtained, for example, according to JP-A-2007-91852.

{0118}

Specific examples of the polyhydric alcohol, which is one of the starting materials of a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid (or an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid) of component (B), include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 200-11000) , propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (molecular weight: 250-4000), 1,3-butylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerol (degree of polymerization: 2-30), erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, inosi tol, sorbitan, sorbide, sucrose, trehalose, erulose, lactosaccharose, cyclodextrin, maltitol, lactitol, palatinite, panitol and reconstituted starch syrup; preferably, they include polyethylene glycol, glycerol, erythritol, sorbitol, sorbitan, sorbide and sucrose; and particularly preferably, they include sorbitol, sorbitan and sorbide.

{0119}

Specific examples of a fatty acid, which is another of the starting materials of a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid (or an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid), include a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 6-22 carbon atoms, a mixture of fatty acids, containing fatty acid as the main component, or branched chain fatty acid containing 8-36 carbon atoms. The fatty acid may partially contain a hydroxy group. Specific examples thereof include octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, cis-9-octadecenoic acid, eicosanoic acid, docosanoic acid, tetraacanoic acid, tetracanoic acid 2-ethylhexyl acid and isostearic acid. You can use palm oil fatty acid and beef tallow fatty acid, which are a mixture of fatty acids obtained from a natural source, and the fatty acid is preferably a fatty acid containing 8-18 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably dodecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid or cis -9-octadecanoic acid.

{0120}

In a polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester constituting a polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester, from the point of view of forming a molecule in a form that is easily incorporated into the fibers by three-dimensional increase in size, rather than linear extension of the form with an increase in hydrophobic chain, for enhancing hydrophobicity, the main component is preferably an esterified product of a trihydric or polyhydric alcohol with even more atoms, and the material for wherein the esterification fraction of the alcohol component is 90% or more. Here, a major component means a component having the largest amount of a component in a polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester, and it is preferably contained in an amount of 50% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of the polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester. A specific example of a trihydric alcohol includes glycerol, specific examples of a tetrahydric alcohol include erythritol, and specific examples of a pentahydric alcohol include xylitol.

{0121}

A particularly preferred material as the polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester constituting the polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester is castor oil (hydrogenated castor oil). Castor oil is an ester of glycerol and a fatty acid, having, as a source, the seeds of castor oil ordinary, which is a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family , in which approximately 90% of the constituent fatty acid is ricinoleic acid. More specifically, as the polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, ester oil of glycerol and a fatty acid containing mainly ricinoleic acid is preferred.

{0122}

In the polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester, specific examples of alkylene oxide to be added to the polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide. A particularly preferred material as the polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester is a polyoxyethylene (POE) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester in which the alkylene oxide to be added to the polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester is ethylene oxide and a particularly preferred material is POE-modified castor oil (POE-modified hydrogenated castor oil), in which an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid is castor oil (hydrogenated castor oil).

{0123}

In a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, from the point of view of improving the liquid absorption characteristics of the nonwoven material (reducing the amount of residual liquid, the amount of liquid flowing or the like), the number of moles of alkylene oxide added to the ester of the polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid preferably more than 20 mol, and particularly preferably 40 mol or more. However, if the number of moles of alkylene oxide added is too large, the degree of hydrophilicity of the nonwoven material is excessively increased, and when the nonwoven material is used, for example, in the form of a top sheet of an absorbent article, this level can lead to an increase in the amount of residual liquid, and for this reason, the amount of added moles is preferably 80 mol or less, and more preferably 60 mol or less.

{0124}

(Component (C))

The amphoteric surfactant containing the hydroxysulfobetaine group, which is component (C), has the properties of dense adsorption on the surface of the fiber, as discussed above. For this reason, an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group, which is component (C), can cause a high hydrophilicity, which is difficult to obtain with a conventional fiber treatment agent, for a fiber in which the fiber diameter is reduced.

Specifically, an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group is a surfactant represented by the following Formula (S2).

{0125}

{0126}

In Formula (S2), R ⁹ is an alkyl group having 6 or more and 24 or fewer carbon atoms. Among them, from the point of view of forming a denser adsorption surface by hydrophobic interaction with a hydrocarbon group on the fiber surface, in addition to the dense adsorption of the sulfobetaine group, the number of carbon atoms is more preferably 8 or more, and even more preferably 10 or more, and more preferably 22 or less, and even more preferably 18 or less.

{0127}

More specifically, laurylhydroxysulfobetaine, myristylhydroxysulfobetaine, palmitylhydroxysulfobetaine or stearylhydroxysulfobetaine can be used.

{0128}

As an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group, any kind of the above agents can be used on its own, or two or more kinds can be mixed and used.

{0129}

(Another component)

In the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, in addition to the components discussed above, other components can be incorporated into the fiber treatment agent, as needed. For example, from the point of view of preventing the appearance of impurities in the fibers by agglutinating the fibers with each other, using a fiber treatment agent, a treatment agent such as an agglutination inhibitor containing a water-soluble modified silicone or the like can be added to them. In addition, as other components, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and so on may be contained. Specific examples of these surfactants include the materials described in paragraphs {0046} to {0049} in WO 2014/171388.

{0130}

In addition, in the nonwoven material of the present invention, when the component of the agent for treating the fibers contained therein is identified, the identification method described in the method for measuring the surface tension (γ _w ) of a liquid film (liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m), or something like that.

Furthermore, when the component of the liquid film disintegrating agent is a compound in which the main chain has a siloxane chain, or a hydrocarbon compound in which the number of carbon atoms is 1 or more and 20 or less, the proportion of their content (OPU) in relation to the mass fibers can be determined by dividing the proportion of the agent for breaking the liquid film by the mass of the fiber, based on the mass of the substance obtained using the analytical method discussed above.

{0131}

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention is formed as a product having a high liquid permeability, regardless of the thickness of the fibers or the distance between the fibers. However, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is particularly effective when thin fibers are used. If thin fibers are used to form a non-woven material having a softer texture than usual, the distance between the fibers decreases and the number and length of narrow regions between the fibers increases. For example, typically, in the case of a nonwoven material (fineness: 2.4 dtex) used typically, the distance between the fibers is 120 μm, and the fraction of the area of the liquid film to be formed becomes approximately 2.6%. However, if the fineness is reduced to 1.2 dtex, the distance between the fibers is 85 μm, and the fraction of the area of the liquid film increases to about 7.8%, to an extent that is about 3 times greater than the fraction in ordinary non-woven material. In contrast, the liquid film disruption agent of the present invention reliably destroys the liquid film that often occurs, and thus, the amount of residual liquid is reduced. As discussed below, the fraction of the area of the liquid film is expressed in terms of the fraction of the area of the liquid film, which must be calculated from the image analysis from the surface of the nonwoven material, and has a strong correlation with the state of the residual liquid on the outermost surface of the surface material. For this reason, if the fraction of the area of the liquid film is reduced, the liquid near the skin is eliminated, the comfort level after discharge improves, and thus an absorbent article is obtained that is comfortable to wear even after isolation. On the other hand, the amount of residual liquid, discussed below, means the amount of liquid held in the nonwoven material as a whole. If the fraction of the area of the liquid film decreases, the amount of residual liquid decreases, although the decrease is not unconditionally proportional. In addition, surface whiteness is expressed in terms of the value of L, discussed below. Regarding the value of L, its numerical value tends to increase with a decrease in the amount of residual liquid, which is caused by the destruction of the liquid film on the surface, while the whiteness becomes easily visible visually. In a nonwoven material containing an agent for breaking a liquid film of the present invention, even if the fibers become thinner, the fraction of the liquid film area and the amount of residual liquid are reduced, and the L value can increase, and for this reason, both the feeling of dry skin and soft texture imparted by a decrease in the thickness of the fibers can be satisfied at a high level. In addition, the nonwoven material of the present invention is used as a constituent element, such as a surface material of an absorbent article, to achieve a high feeling of dryness in the part in contact with the skin, and it is possible to ensure that the contamination of the body fluid is invisible by visual whiteness, and for this reason an absorbent article can be obtained for which anxiety about leaks can also be suppressed and considerable wearing comfort is realized.

From the point of view of increasing the softness of the texture of the nonwoven material containing such an agent for breaking the liquid film, the distance between the fibers of the nonwoven material is preferably 150 μm or less, and more preferably 90 μm or less. In addition, from the point of view of suppressing a negative effect on the liquid permeability, which is caused by a too small distance between the fibers, its lower limit is preferably 50 μm or more, and more preferably 70 μm or more. Specifically, the distance between the fibers is preferably 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and more preferably 70 μm or more and 90 μm or less.

The fineness of the fibers in this case is preferably 3.3 dtex or less, and more preferably 2.4 dtex or less. In addition, its lower limit is preferably 0.5 dtex or more, and more preferably 1.0 dtex or more. Specifically, the fineness is preferably 0.5 dtex or more and 3.3 dtex or less, and more preferably 1.0 dtex or more and 2.4 dtex or less.

{0132}

(Method for measuring the distance between fibers)

The distance between the fibers is determined by measuring the thickness of the nonwoven material as an object of measurement, and then applying the measured value to the expression (Q2).

Firstly, the nonwoven material as an object of measurement is cut into pieces with dimensions of 50 mm in the longitudinal direction × 50 mm in the transverse direction to obtain a cut out piece of nonwoven material.

The thickness of the cut piece is measured under a pressure of 49 Pa. The measurement environment is a temperature of 20 ± 2 ° C and a relative humidity of 65 ± 5%, and a microscope (VHX-1000, manufactured by KEYENCE Corporation) is used as a measuring tool. First, an enlarged cross-sectional photograph of the nonwoven fabric is obtained. In the enlarged photograph, a piece having a known size is photographed. In an enlarged photograph of the cross section of the nonwoven material, a scale for measuring the thickness of the nonwoven material is combined. The operation described above is carried out 3 times, and the average value for 3 measurements is taken as the thickness (mm) of the nonwoven material in the dry state. In addition, in the case of a laminated product, the boundary is different from the diameter of the fibers to calculate the thickness.

Then, the distance between the fibers in the fibers that make up the non-woven material as an object of measurement is determined by the Formula based on the assumption of Wrotnowski, shown below. A formula based on the Wrotnowski assumption is typically used in determining the spacing between fibers for the fibers that make up the nonwoven. In accordance with the formula based on the Wrotnowski hypothesis, the distance between the fibers A (μm) is determined using the following expression (Q2) using the thickness h (mm) of the nonwoven material, its base mass e (g / m ² ), fiber diameter d ( μm) for the fibers that make up the nonwoven material, and the density of its fibers ρ (g / cm ³ ). In addition, when the nonwoven material has a convex-concave shape, the distance between the fibers is calculated using the thickness of the nonwoven material h (mm) in the convex part as a representative value.

Regarding the fiber diameter d (μm), 10 pieces of fiber cross-sections for cut fibers are measured using a scanning electron microscope (DSC6200, manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc.), and their average value is taken as the fiber diameter.

The fiber density ρ (g / cm ³ ) is measured using a tube with a density gradient in accordance with the measurement method described as the method using a tube with a density gradient in JIS L1015 Test methods for chemical staple fibers.

Regarding the base mass e (g / m ² ), non-woven material — the measurement object is cut into pieces having a predetermined size (0.12 m × 0.06 m or something similar), and after measuring the mass, the base mass is determined by calculating in accordance with the expression “mass / area determined by the given dimensions = base mass (g / m ² ).”

{0133}

(Q2)

(Q2)

{0134}

(Method for measuring the fineness of constituent fibers)

The fineness is calculated by measuring the cross-sectional shape of the fiber using an electron microscope or the like to measure the cross-sectional area of the fiber (the cross-sectional area of each resin component, if the fiber is formed from a plurality of resins), and at the same time indicating the type of resin (also an approximate ratio of components in the case of multiple resins) using a DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) to identify the density. For example, if a staple fabric consisting of only PET is used, a cross section is first observed to calculate the cross sectional area. Then, the fiber is measured using a DSC to identify whether the fiber is composed of a single component resin, by melting point or peak shape, and that the component is a PET core. The fineness is then calculated by calculating the mass of the fiber using the density of the PET resin and the cross-sectional area.

{0135}

As the fibers that make up the nonwoven material of the present invention, the fibers commonly used in this type of product can be used without any restrictions. In terms of imparting a degree of hydrophilicity with a gradient through the penetration of component (A), component (B) or component (C) into the fibers, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is preferably formed as containing hot-melt fibers. Specific examples include various fibers, such as hot-melt composite fibers. such as sheath-core, thermally elongate fibers, thermally elongate fibers, shrink fibers, fibers without heat shrinkage, three-dimensionally twisted fibers, potentially twisted fibers and hollow fibers. In particular, the fibers preferably comprise a thermoplastic resin. Shell-core composite fibers can be of the shell-core concentric type, shell-core eccentric, side-by-side or warped type, and preferably belong to the shell-core concentric type. In preparing the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can adhere to the fibers of the nonwoven fabric at any stage. For example, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can be mixed into a fiber spinning sizing agent that is typically to be used during fiber spinning, and the resulting mixture can be applied to the fibers, or the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can be mixed into a finishing sizing for fibers before or after stretching the fibers, and the resulting mixture can be applied to the fibers. In addition, a liquid film disruption agent or an anionic surfactant such as a phosphoric acid ester can be mixed into a fiber treatment agent, which should normally be used to produce a nonwoven material, and the resulting mixture can be applied to the fibers as a coating, or fiber after the formation of non-woven material. In addition, a fiber treatment agent can be applied to the fibers in the form of a coating after the fibers are formed into a nonwoven material.

{0136}

The nonwoven material of the present invention contains the fiber treating agent discussed above, and therefore is excellent in its low residual liquid content and low liquid backflow characteristics for various fiber structures. Therefore, even if a large amount of liquid is spilled onto the nonwoven fabric, a passage for liquid to penetrate between the fibers is always provided, and the nonwoven fabric is excellent in liquid permeability, and in this case, the backflow of the liquid passing through it is suppressed even under pressure or under something like that. Thus, various functions for the nonwoven fabric can be provided without being limited by the problems of the distance between the fibers and the formation of a liquid film. For example, a nonwoven fabric may be formed from one layer or multiple layers of two or more layers. In addition, the nonwoven material may have a flat shape, a convex-concave shape on one side or on both sides, or a shape having a variety with respect to the base fiber mass or fiber density. In addition, the nonwoven material of the present invention is excellent in liquid permeability by the action of the agent for breaking the liquid film, and therefore the range of options with respect to combinations with absorbent material is also extended. In addition, when the nonwoven material of the present invention is formed from a plurality of layers, an agent for destroying a liquid film may be contained in all layers or in part of the layers. The agent for destroying a liquid film is preferably contained in at least a layer on the side on which the liquid is directly received. For example, when the nonwoven material of the present invention is included as a top sheet in an absorbent article, the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably contained in at least a layer on the surface side in contact with the skin.

{0137}

In addition, upon receipt of the nonwoven material of the present invention, you can use the method commonly used for this type of product. For example, as a method of forming a web of fibers, it is possible to use the carding method, the dry air molding method, the spunbond method, or the like. As a method of processing a web of fibers into non-woven material, various methods of forming non-woven materials that should normally be used, such as sewing, needle punching, chemical bonding, and dot embossing, can be used. First of all, from the point of view of texture, the non-woven material is preferably a non-woven material obtained by binding by blowing air, or non-woven material spanbond. “Non-woven fabric obtained by binding by blowing air,” as used herein, means a non-woven material that is produced by a step of pressurizing a fluid at 50 ° C. or more, for example, gas and water vapor, onto a web or onto a non-woven fabric (processing step air purge). In addition, “non-woven spunbond material” means a laminated non-woven material that is produced using the spunbond method. Non-woven material includes not only material that is obtained only in the above stage, but also such material that is obtained by adding the above processing step to the non-woven material that is obtained using any other method, or that which is obtained by performing stage some species after the above stage. In addition, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is not limited to material formed only from nonwoven fabric obtained by bonding by air blowing, or only from nonwoven fabric spunbond, but also includes material formed into a composite of nonwoven fabric obtained by binding by blowing air or nonwoven material spunbond with a sheet of fiber or with a film material such as other nonwoven materials.

{0138}

In the method for producing a nonwoven material of the present invention, when an agent for treating the fibers of the present invention is applied thereto after forming the nonwoven material as discussed above, specific examples include a method in which a nonwoven material from starting materials is immersed in a solution containing an agent for treating fibers . In addition, specific examples of another method include a method in which the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is coated onto a nonwoven fabric from raw materials. In addition, an anionic phosphoric acid ester type surfactant may be contained in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, as discussed above. In this case, the proportion of the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film with respect to the anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester is preferably the same as discussed above. In the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, a solvent can be used, without any limitation, in which a liquid film disruption agent having a significantly low solubility in water can be sparingly dissolved or dispersed and emulsified to easily apply the agent to as a coating on non-woven material. Specific examples of a solvent that dissolves the agent include an organic solvent such as ethanol, methanol, acetone and hexane, or when the agent is converted to a liquid emulsion, water, of course, can also be used as a solvent or dispersing medium, and specific examples of an emulsifying agent, The emulsifying agent used includes various surfactants, including phosphoric acid alkyl ester, fatty acid amide, alkyl betaine and sodium alkyl sulfosuccinate. In addition, a nonwoven fabric made from starting materials means a nonwoven fabric prior to applying an agent for destroying a liquid film thereon, and as a method for producing it, a production method that should normally be used as described above can be used without any limitation.

As a coating method for applying an agent to a nonwoven fabric from raw materials, the method used in this method for producing a nonwoven fabric can be used without any limitation. Specific examples include spray coating, coating using a slit coating device, and coating using an intaglio printing system, a flexographic system, and an immersion system.

In addition, various nonwoven materials can be used as non-woven material from the starting materials.

{0139}

The fiber treatment agent of the present invention means an agent in which the components described above, in particular, an oily liquid film breaking agent having a significantly low solubility in water, are formed in a state in which the application of processing materials to the nonwoven material or fibers of source materials. In the fiber treating agent of the present invention, the proportion of the liquid film breaking agent is preferably 50% by mass or less with respect to the fiber treating agent. Thus, an agent for treating fibers can be formed in a state in which an agent for breaking a film of liquid as an oily component is stably emulsified in a solvent. From the point of view of stable emulsification, the proportion of the agent for breaking the liquid film is more preferably less than 40% by mass, and even more preferably 30% by mass or less, relative to the mass of the fiber treating agent. From the point of view of effectively demonstrating the effects of destruction of the liquid film, the proportion of the agent for destruction of the liquid film is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 25% by mass or more, relative to the mass of the agent for processing fibers. In addition, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may also contain other agents in a range in which it does not adversely affect the above-described effect of the agent for breaking the liquid film and components (A) to (C). For example, a fiber treatment agent may contain the anionic surfactant of the phosphoric acid ester type discussed above. The proportion of the agent for disrupting the liquid film with respect to the anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester in this case is preferably the same as discussed above. In addition, the fiber treating agent may comprise an antistatic agent or an anti-friction agent used in treating the fibers, a hydrophilizing agent to give the nonwoven fabric moderate hydrophilicity, an emulsifying agent for emulsification stability, or the like.

{0140}

In the fusible fibers to be used in the present invention, at least their surface is preferably formed from a polyolefin-based resin. If the surface of the hot-melt fibers, which are the constituent fibers of the nonwoven material, is formed from a polyolefin-based resin, the surface of the fiber is melted by heat treatment during the production of the nonwoven material, and the agent for treating the fibers easily penetrates into the fiber, and thereby the ability to effectively reduce the degree of hydrophilicity in a given part. Specific examples of the polyolefin-based resin that forms the surface of the hot-melt fibers include polyethylene and polypropylene, and one kind can be used alone, or two or more kinds can be mixed and used.

{0141}

As the fusible fibers, various materials can be used that do not adversely affect the penetration of the components of the fiber treating agent into the fibers. Specific examples thereof include shell-core bicomponent fibers having a portion a sheath containing a polyethylene resin and a portion of the core consisting of a resin component having a melting point higher than the melting point of the polyethylene resin (hereinafter referred to as “shell-core S component bicomponent fibers”) described in JP-A-2010-168715 . Specific examples of the polyethylene resin constituting part of the sheath of a core-shell type S bicomponent fiber include low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and the resin is preferably a high density polyethylene having a density 0.935 g / cm³ or more and 0.965 g / cm³ or less. The resin component constituting part of the sheath of the bicomponent fibers of the type S sheath-core, preferably is a polyethylene resin in itself. However, hot-melt fibers are not limited to this, and various materials can be used.

{0142}

Part of the shell of bicomponent fibers of the type S shell-core plays the role of imparting hot-melt properties to hot-melt shell-core bicomponent fibers, and at the same time, introductions agent for processing fibers discussed above during heat treatment. Thus, the penetration of the components of the above-described fiber treating agent into the fibers is facilitated, and furthermore, a hydrophilization gradient is easily formed in the top sheet. In addition, the hot melt fibers used in the topsheet are not limited to shell-core bicomponent S fibers. For example, the shell portion may be polypropylene (PP), copolymerized polyester or the like, in accordance with the resin component of the core portion.

On the other hand, the core portion is a portion for imparting strength to the fusible bicomponent sheath-core fibers. As a resin component constituting part of the core of the sheath-core S type bicomponent fibers, without any limitation, a resin component having a melting point higher than the melting temperature of a polyethylene resin constituting the resin of the sheath part can be used. Specific examples of the core component of the resin include a polyolefin-based resin (excluding polyethylene resin) such as polypropylene (PP), and a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

In shell-core hot-melt bicomponent fibers on which the fiber treatment agent is adhered, the difference between the melting temperature of the resin component constituting a part of the core and the melting temperature of the resin component constituting a part of the sheath (first to second) is preferably 20 ° C or more, from the point of view of simplifying the production of non-woven material, and preferably 150 ° C or less. In the case where the resin component constituting part of the core is a mixture of many types of resin, the melting temperature of the resin having the highest melting point is defined as the melting temperature of the part of the core.

{0143}

The hot-melt fibers are preferably fibers in which their length preferably increases with heating (hereinafter also referred to as thermally extendible fibers). Specific examples of thermally extendible fibers include fibers in which the crystalline state of the resin changes upon heating and the length spontaneously increases. In a nonwoven fabric, thermally elongate fibers are present in a state in which their length increases when heated, in a state in which length can increase when heated, or in a state of both states. In thermally extendable fibers, an agent for treating fibers on the surface of the fiber is easily introduced into it upon heating, and many parts are easily formed in the fibers in which the degree of hydrophilicity becomes significantly different by heat treatment, in a nonwoven fabric made using fibers, or anything like that.

{0144}

Preferred thermally extendible fibers are bicomponent fibers (hereinafter referred to as thermally extendable bicomponent fibers) having a first resin component constituting part of the core and a second resin component constituting part of the sheath. The second resin component has a melting or softening temperature lower than the melting or softening temperature of the first resin component, and is present continuously in the direction along the length of at least part of the surface of the fiber. The first resin component develops the thermally extendable properties of the fibers, and the second resin component develops the hot-melt properties.

The melting temperature of the first resin component and the melting temperature of the second resin component are determined by the temperature measured using the following method using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC6200, manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc.). Accordingly, the melting temperature is determined by the temperature of the melting peak obtained by performing thermal analysis of a finely chopped fiber sample (sample weight: 2 mg), at a heating rate of 10 ° C / min and when measuring the melting peak temperature of each resin. When the melting point of the second component of the resin cannot be clearly measured using this method, the resin is defined as “a resin having no melting point”. In this case, as the temperature at which the molecules of the second resin component begin to flow, the temperature at which the second resin component melts to the extent to which the strength of the fibers at the melting point can be measured, is defined as the softening temperature, and this temperature is used instead of the melting point.

{0145}

Thermally extendable bicomponent fibers are formed so that they are elongate when heated at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the first resin component. Then, in thermally elongating bicomponent fibers, the percentage of thermal elongation at a temperature of 10 ° C higher than the melting temperature of the second resin component (or the softening temperature in the case of a resin without a melting point), is preferably 0.5% or more and 20% or less, more preferably 3% or more and 20% or less, and even more preferably 5.0% or more and 20% or less. A nonwoven fabric containing fibers having such a percentage of thermal elongation becomes bulky or exhibits a three-dimensional appearance due to elongation of the fibers. The percentage of thermal elongation of the fibers can be determined using the method described in paragraphs {0031} - {0032} JP-A-2010-168715.

{0146}

The fiber diameter of the thermally extendable bicomponent fibers is appropriately selected in accordance with the specific application of the nonwoven material. When a nonwoven material is used as a constituent element of an absorbent article, such as a top sheet of an absorbent article, fibers having a fiber diameter of 10 μm or more and 35 μm or less, in particular 15 μm or more and 30 μm or less, are preferably used. In addition, in thermally elongating bicomponent fibers, since the fiber diameter decreases with elongation, the fiber diameter described above means the fiber diameter when the nonwoven material is actually used.

{0147}

As thermally extendable bicomponent fibers, in addition to the thermally extendable bicomponent fibers discussed above, the fibers described in JP-B-4131852, JP-A-2005-350836, JP-A-2007-303035, JP-A- can also be used 2007-204899, JP-A-2007-204901, JP-A-2007-204902, or the like.

{0148}

Thus, a non-woven material containing a plurality of parts having different degrees of hydrophilicity can be obtained by applying heat treatment to a web or to a non-woven material obtained using heat-fusible fibers.

{0149}

In fusible fibers, the contact angle with water for fibers selected from a nonwoven material is preferably 90 degrees or less. If the degree of hydrophilicity of the surface is further increased by the agent for treating the fibers, a plurality of regions having significantly different degrees of hydrophilicity can be formed in the fibers themselves, on the nonwoven fabric obtained using the fibers, or the like. From a similar point of view, for heat-fusible bicomponent fibers of the core-clad type, selected from non-woven material, the contact angle with water is preferably 90 degrees or less, and more preferably 85 degrees or less. If the hydrophilicity is too high, the nonwoven fabric cannot facilitate fluid retention. Thus, the contact angle is preferably 60 degrees or more, and more preferably 65 degrees or more. And the contact angle is preferably 65 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less, and more preferably 70 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. A decrease in the degree of hydrophilicity has the same meaning as an increase in the contact angle. This contact angle can be obtained using the following measurement method.

{0150}

(Contact Angle Measurement Method)

The contact angle measurement described above is carried out using the method described below.

That is, the fiber is taken from a predetermined location of the nonwoven material, and the contact angle of the water and the fiber is measured. As a measuring device, use Automatic Contact Angle Meter MCA-J, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd .. To measure the contact angle using distilled water. The measurement is carried out in an environment at a temperature of 25 ° C and at a relative humidity (RH) of 65%. The amount of fluid that must be emitted in the jet from the node for emitting jets of water droplets according to the inkjet printing system (a CTC-25 pulse injector having a hole of the ink jet assembly of 25 μm is produced by Cluster Technology Co., Ltd.) is set at 20 picoliters, and drops of water are added dropwise directly to the fibers. The drop-by-drop aspect is recorded on a high speed recording device connected to a horizontally mounted camera. From the point of view of image analysis and subsequent image analysis, the recording device is preferably a personal computer to which a high-speed recording device is connected. With this measurement, an image is recorded every 17 ms. On the registered image, the image is analyzed, on the first image, on which a drop of water settles on the fibers selected from the nonwoven material, using the FAMAS auxiliary software (software version version: 2.6.2, analysis method: fixed drop method, analysis method: θ / 2 method, image processing algorithm: without reflection, image processing mode: frame, threshold level: 200, and curvature correction: no) to calculate the angle formed between the fibers and the surface water droplets in contact with air, and the computed value is taken as a contact angle. Fibers selected from non-woven material are cut into fibers 1 mm long, the fibers are placed on a sample stand for a contact angle meter, which must be supported horizontally. And then the fibers are exposed to contact angle measurements in two different positions on the same fiber. Contact angles (N = 5 fibers) are measured to one decimal place, and the value (rounded to one decimal place) obtained by averaging the measured values at ten places as a whole is defined as the contact angle.

{0151}

(A preferred aspect of the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity of the nonwoven material of the present invention)

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure in which two or more layers are formed by lamination. Specific examples of the nonwoven fabric having a multilayer structure of the present invention include a shape in which the nonwoven fabric has a first layer and a second layer adjacent thereto, and at least one layer of the first layer and the second layer contains fibers onto which the agent for processing fibers of the present invention; and more specifically, specific examples include a non-woven fabric satisfying the following conditions I or II, and preferably, it is a non-woven fabric obtained by binding by blowing air. Under the following conditions I and II, the first layer and the second layer are directly brought into contact with each other, in a way that they are adjacent and no other layers are located between the two layers. The first layer and the second layer are distinguished by such factors as the types of fiber materials constituting the layers, the thickness of the fiber, the presence or absence of a hydrophilizing treatment, the method of forming the layers, and the like. If the cross section of a nonwoven material having a multilayer structure according to the present invention is increased in the thickness direction by an electron microscope, the boundary part between the two layers resulting from the action of these factors can be observed. In all non-woven materials satisfying the following conditions I or II, the side of the first layer or the side of the second layer can be used as the used surface, and whether any side can be used as the used surface can be determined according to the specific application of the non-woven material, or what anything like that.

{0152}

(Condition I)

When the first layer is virtually dissected in the thickness direction, and the portion on the side farthest from the second layer is accepted as the first portion of the first layer, and the portion on the side near the second layer is taken as the second portion of the first layer of the dissected two sections, if the degree of hydrophilicity of the first portion of the first layer is compared , the second section of the first layer and the second layer, the ratios of the following (11) and (12) are satisfied, and the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is introduced into them.

(11) The second portion of the first layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the first portion of the first layer.

(12) Any portion of the second layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the second portion of the first layer.

{0153}

In a nonwoven fabric satisfying conditions I, the ratio of hydrophilicity values for the first section of the first layer, the second section of the first layer and the second layer satisfies the inequality: the first section of the first layer <the second section of the first layer <any section of the second layer. “Any portion of a second layer” means a portion having the highest degree of hydrophilicity for the degrees of hydrophilicity measured along the direction along the thickness of the second layer. The same rule also applies to the first section of the first layer and the second section of the first layer, for which the degree of hydrophilicity of each section from the first section of the first layer and the second section of the first layer means the degree of hydrophilicity for the section showing the highest degree of hydrophilicity, when the degree of hydrophilicity for these sections are measured along the thickness direction. Furthermore, with respect to the “degree of hydrophilicity” referred to in the present invention, its degree is estimated based on the contact angle of the fibers with water, as measured by this method. Specifically, a low degree of hydrophilicity has the same meaning as a large contact angle, and a high degree of hydrophilicity has the same value as a small contact angle.

{0154}

In a nonwoven material satisfying conditions I, if the liquid is supplied on one side of the first layer, the liquid quickly penetrates the nonwoven material, as a result of creating a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity in the thickness direction described in (11) and (12). Accordingly, on the surface on this side of the first layer, the liquid becomes difficult to flow over the surface. As a result, the liquid becomes difficult to hold onto the surface on this side of the first layer, which is the surface onto which the liquid is supplied. These notable effects become especially significant when a non-woven fabric satisfying the conditions I is used as the top sheet of an absorbent article for which the surface on this side of the first layer is used as the surface facing the skin.

{0155}

(Condition II)

When the second layer is virtually dissected in the thickness direction and the portion on the side near the first layer is taken as the first portion of the second layer, and the portion on the side farthest from the first layer is taken as the second portion of the second layer of the dissected two sections, if the degree of hydrophilicity for the first layer is compared , the first section of the second layer and the second section of the second layer, the ratios of the following (21) and (22) are satisfied, and the agent for processing the fibers of the present invention is introduced into them.

(21) The first portion of the second layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the first layer.

(22) The second portion of the second layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the second portion of the second layer.

{0156}

In a nonwoven fabric satisfying conditions II, the ratio of the degree of hydrophilicity for the first layer, the first section of the second layer and the second section of the second layer satisfies the inequality: first layer <first section of the second layer <second section of the second layer, as described in (21) and (22) if the liquid is supplied on one side of the first layer, the liquid quickly penetrates the nonwoven material, as a result of creating such a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity in the thickness direction. Accordingly, on the surface on this side of the first layer, the liquid becomes difficult to flow over the surface. As a result, the liquid becomes difficult to hold onto the surface on that side of the first layer on whose surface the liquid is supplied. In addition, the liquid, after penetrating through a nonwoven material satisfying conditions II, it becomes difficult to flow back. These notable effects become especially significant when a non-woven fabric satisfying conditions II is used as the top sheet of an absorbent article in which the surface on the side of the first layer is used as the surface facing the skin.

{0157}

FIGS. 3 to 5 show various preferred aspects of a nonwoven material having a hydrophilicity gradient according to the conditions I. An aspect of the nonwoven fabric shown in each of FIGS. 3 to 5 will be described below.

{0158}

The non-woven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3 is a non-woven fabric obtained by binding by blowing air, and it has a first layer 130 and a second layer 140. The first layer 130 and the second layer 140 are directly brought into contact with each other, and no other layers not located between both layers. The first layer 130 and the second layer 140, each, are a layer of one type of fiber and do not consist of a laminate of many layers, further divided into any other layers. The first layer 30 and the second layer 40 are connected to each other in all areas on the surfaces facing each other, and no gaps are formed between both layers 130 and 140. In addition to this, in FIG. 5, the first layer 130 and the second layer 140 are shown with the same thickness, but this is because layers 130 and 140 are shown schematically. In a real nonwoven fabric 100, the thickness of the first layer 130 and the thickness of the second layer 140 may differ from each other.

{0159}

Both the first layer 130 and the second layer 140 are composed of randomly stacked fibers. The fibers constituting the first layer 130 are melted at the intersections of the fibers using an air blow bonding method. The same rule also applies to the second layer 140. In addition, at the boundary between the first layer 130 and the second layer 140, the intersections of the fibers constituting the first layer 130 and the fibers constituting the second layer 140 are melted using an air blow bonding method. In addition, the fibers constituting the first layer 130 can be bonded by means other than fusion using the bonding method by blowing air. For example, the fibers can be further bonded by means such as fusion by thermal embossing, weaving by high pressure jet flow, adhesion by adhesive, or the like. The same rule also applies to the second layer 140, as well as to the interface between the first layer 130 and the second layer 140.

{0160}

In the present description, when the first layer 130, consisting of one layer, is virtually dissected in the thickness direction, the portion on the side farthest from the second layer 140 is referred to as “the first portion 131 of the first layer”, and the portion on the side near the second layer 140 is referred to as “ the second section 132 of the first layer ”of two dissected sections. The first layer 130 consists of one layer, and therefore, there is no boundary between the first section 131 and the second section 132. In addition, the fibers constituting the first section 131 and the fibers constituting the second section 132 are identical.

{0161}

In the first layer 130 in the nonwoven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3, the degree of hydrophilicity of the second portion 132 is higher than the degree of the first portion 131. To provide the first layer 130 with a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity, the fibers onto which the fiber treating agent discussed above is adhered of the invention are preferably contained in the first layer 130. In this case, in the first layer 130, the degree of hydrophilicity may gradually increase from the first portion 131 to the second portion 132, or the degree of hydrophilicity may stepwise increase from the first section 131 to the second section 132. From the point of view of improving the liquid penetration in the thickness direction, the degree of hydrophilicity is preferably gradually increased from the first section 131 to the second section 132. Also, from the point of view of creating a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity, in which the degree of hydrophilicity increases gradually, the hot-melt fibers onto which the fiber treating agent discussed above is adhered are preferably contained in the first layer 130.

{0162}

Increased if the degree of hydrophilicity is gradually or stepwise, in the first layer 130, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer is preferably 70 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 72 degrees or more, and preferably 85 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 82 degrees or less. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer is preferably 70 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less, and more preferably 72 degrees or more and 82 degrees or less. On the other hand, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion of the first layer 132 is preferably 60 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 65 degrees or more; and preferably 80 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 75 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 132 of the first layer is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 31 of the first layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 132 of the first layer is preferably 60 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, and more preferably 65 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less.

{0163}

In contrast to the first layer 130 having a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity, in the aspect shown in FIG. 3, the degree of hydrophilicity in the second layer 140 becomes the same in any areas of the second layer 140. In addition, the degree of hydrophilicity of the second layer 140 is higher than the degree of hydrophilicity of the second section 132 of the first layer. Thus, in the nonwoven fabric 100 aspect shown in Figure 3, the degree of hydrophilicity is increased in the order from the first portion 131 of the first layer to the second portion 132 and the first layer to the second layer 140. The contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second layer 140, preferably 20 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 30 degrees or more; and preferably 75 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 65 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second layer 140 is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 132 of the first layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second layer 140 is preferably 20 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or more and 65 degrees or less.

{0164}

As discussed above, in the nonwoven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3, while the degree of hydrophilicity in the second layer 140 becomes the same in any areas, to form such a second layer 140, for example, an agent called a sizing agent that has been used to date , to give the fibers hydrophilicity, can be used as needed. For example, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and the like can be used. In addition, the constituent fibers of the second layer 40 are preferably not treated even by any of the above components (A) to (C). On occasion , the agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably bonded to at least the first layer 130, and, in addition, more preferably, bonded also to the second layer 140.

{0165}

In terms of additional fluid penetration from the first layer 130 to the second layer 140, in the nonwoven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 132 of the first layer and the contact angle for water for the fibers contained in the second layer 140 (second portion 132 of the first layer — second layer 4140) are preferably 1 degree or more, particularly preferably 10 degrees or more, and more preferably 20 degrees or more; and preferably 50 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 40 degrees or less. For example, the difference is preferably 1 degree or more and 50 degrees or less, and more preferably 10 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less.

{0166}

From the same point of view as described above, in the nonwoven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer and the contact angle for water for the fibers contained in the second layer 140 (the first portion 131 of the first layer is the second layer 140), preferably 2 degrees or more, particularly preferably 10 degrees or more, and more preferably 20 degrees or more; and preferably 65 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 50 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which this difference is greater than the above-discussed difference in contact angles between the second portion 132 of the first layer and the second layer 140. For example, this difference is preferred is 2 degrees or more and 65 degrees or less, and more preferably 10 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.

{0167}

Each material of non-woven material 101 shown in FIG. 4 and of non-woven material 102 shown in FIG. 5 is a non-woven material (non-woven fabric obtained by binding by blowing air) that satisfies the conditions I. Regarding these non-woven materials 101 and 102 items other than the nonwoven fabric 100 described previously will be described, and the same items will not be specifically described, however, a description of the nonwoven fabric 100 is applicable as appropriate. In addition, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the same designation is maintained for the same element in FIG. 3.

{0168}

In the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, the first layer 130 is formed in the same configuration as the first layer 130 of the nonwoven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, with respect to the second layer 140 for nonwoven fabric 101, when the second layer is virtually dissected in the thickness direction, the portion on the side near the first layer 130 is referred to as the “first portion 141 of the second layer” and the portion on the side farthest from the first layer 130 is referred to as the “second section 142 of the second layer” of two dissected sections. The second layer 140 consists of one layer and, therefore, there is no boundary between the first section 141 and the second section 142. In addition, the fibers that make up the first section 141 and the fibers that make up the second section 142 are identical.

{0169}

In the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, if the degree of hydrophilicity is compared for the first portion 131 of the first layer, the second portion 132 of the first layer, the first portion 141 of the second layer and the second portion 142 of the second layer, in addition to the relation (11) discussed above that is, that the second portion 132 of the first layer has a higher degree of hydrophilicity than the first portion 131 of the first layer, conditions (13) and (14) described below are satisfied.

(13) The first section 141 of the second layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree for the second section 132 of the first layer.

(14) The second portion 142 of the second layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree for the first portion 141 of the second layer.

{0170}

Thus, the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4 has a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity with respect to the first layer 130, and also has a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity with respect to the second layer 140. In addition, the ratio of the values of the degree of hydrophilicity satisfies the inequality: the first section 131 of the first layer <second first layer portion 132 <first second layer portion 141 <second second layer portion 142. In this case, in the same manner as for the first layer 130 of nonwoven fabric 101, as previously discussed, in the second layer 140, the degree of hydrophilicity may gradually increase from the second section 141 to the second section 142, or the degree of hydrophilicity may stepwise increase from the second section 141 to the second section 142. From the point of view of improving the penetration of liquid in the thickness direction, the degree of hydrophilicity preferably increases gradually from the second section 141 to the second section 142. Also from the point of view of creating a gradient degrees of hydrophilicity, wherein the degree of hydrophilicity is increased gradually, the fibers that are bonded treating agent of the present invention, the fibers, discussed earlier, is preferably contained not only in the first layer 130 but also in the second layer 140.

{0171}

In the first layer 130 of nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer is preferably 70 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 72 degrees or more; and preferably 85 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 82 degrees or less. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer is preferably 70 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less, and more preferably 72 degrees or more and 82 degrees or less. On the other hand, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 132 of the first layer is preferably 60 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 65 degrees or more; and preferably 80 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 75 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 132 of the first layer is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 131 of the first layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 132 of the first layer is preferably 60 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, and more preferably 65 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less.

{0172}

In the second layer 140 of the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 141 of the second layer is preferably 50 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 55 degrees or more; and preferably 75 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 70 degrees or less. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 141 of the second layer is preferably 50 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less, and more preferably 55 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less. On the other hand, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is preferably 20 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 30 degrees or more; and preferably 70 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 65 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions in which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 41 of the second layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is preferably 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or more and 65 degrees or less.

{0173}

From the point of view of additional fluid penetration from the first layer 130 to the second layer 140, in the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, the difference between the contact angle with water for fibers contained in the second section 132 of the first layer and the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion of the second layer 141 (second portion 132 of the first layer — first portion 141 of the second layer) is preferably 1 degree or more, and particularly preferably 10 degrees or more; and preferably is 30 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 25 degrees or less. For example, this difference is preferably 1 degree or more and 30 degrees or less, and more preferably 10 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less.

{0174}

From the same point of view, as described above, in the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 131 of the first layer and the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second section 142 of the second layer (the first portion 131 of the first layer is the second portion 142 of the second layer), preferably 2 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 10 degrees or more; and it is preferably 65 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 50 degrees or less, according to and due to the conditions under which this difference is greater than the above-described difference in contact angles between the second portion 132 of the first layer and the first portion 141 of the second layer. For example, this difference is preferably 2 degrees or more and 65 degrees or less, and more preferably 10 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.

{0175}

With respect to the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, the same effect is shown as for the nonwoven fabric 100 shown in FIG. 3. The nonwoven material 101 has a gradient of hydrophilicity also with respect to the second layer 140, and therefore, the effect exhibited by the nonwoven material 100 becomes even more noticeable.

{0176}

In the same manner as the non-woven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4 discussed above, the non-woven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5 has a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity with respect to the first layer 130, and also has a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity with respect to the second layer 140. In addition in the same way as for the nonwoven fabric 101, with respect to the first layer 130, the degree of hydrophilicity of the second section 133 is higher than that of the first section 131, and also relative to the second layer 140, the degree of hydrophilicity of the second section 142 is higher than that of the first section 143. Poo The point at which the non-woven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the non-woven material 101 shown in FIG. 4 is that the ratio of the degree of hydrophilicity satisfies the inequality: the first section 131 of the first layer <the first section 143 of the second layer < second section 133 of the first layer <second section 142 of the second layer. The nonwoven fabric 102 is similar to the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4 in other respects except for this item.

{0177}

Namely, the nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5 is a nonwoven fabric obtained by binding by blowing air, which satisfies ratios (15), (16) and (17) described below, in addition to ratio (11), previously discussed, that is, the degree of hydrophilicity of the second portion 133 of the first layer is higher than that of the first portion 131 of the first layer.

(15) The first portion of the second layer 143 has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the first portion 131 of the first layer.

(16) The second portion 133 of the first layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the first portion 143 of the second layer.

(17) The second portion 142 of the second layer has a degree of hydrophilicity higher than the degree of the second portion 133 of the first layer.

{0178}

Thus, for the nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5, since it differs from the nonwoven materials 100 and 101 described previously, the ratio of the degrees of hydrophilicity for the second portion 133 of the first layer and the first portion 143 of the second layer is the opposite, with hydrophilicity does not increase gradually in the direction from the side 130 of the first layer to the side of the second layer 140. Non-woven material 102 having such a ratio of hydrophilicity values exhibits the same effect as non-woven materials 100 and 101, as each, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which have been described previously, also demonstrates that it is more difficult for the liquid that has already penetrated the nonwoven fabric 102 to flow back, as a result of the inverse ratio of the degree of hydrophilicity for the second portion 133 of the first layer and the first section 143 of the second layer, and the effect that the liquid penetrates the nonwoven fabric 102 while the liquid diffuses in the direction along the plane of the nonwoven material 102. The effect that the liquid is more difficult to flow back is advantageous in t ohm, that the liquid after absorbing into the absorbent mass, it becomes difficult to flow back even if the absorbent mass is subjected to pressure from the body of the user when the nonwoven fabric 102 is used as the top sheet of the absorbent article. Furthermore, the effect that liquid penetrates through the nonwoven fabric 102 while the liquid diffuses in the direction along the plane of the nonwoven material 102 is advantageous in that the liquid can be absorbed in all parts of the direction along the plane of the absorbent mass when the nonwoven material 102 used as the top sheet of an absorbent article, and the absorption characteristic of the absorbent mass can be effectively used.

{0179}

In the first layer 130 of nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer is preferably 70 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 72 degrees or more; and preferably 85 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 82 degrees or less. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer is preferably 70 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less, and more preferably 72 degrees or more and 82 degrees or less. On the other hand, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 133 of the first layer is preferably 50 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 55 degrees or more; and preferably 75 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 70 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 133 of the first layer is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 131 of the first layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 133 of the first layer is preferably 50 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less, and more preferably 55 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less.

{0180}

In the second layer 140 of the nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 143 of the second layer is preferably 60 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 65 degrees or more; and preferably 80 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 75 degrees or less. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 143 of the second layer is preferably 60 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, and more preferably 65 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less. On the other hand, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is preferably 30 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 40 degrees or more; and preferably 70 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 65 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 143 of the second layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is preferably 30 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or more and 65 degrees or less.

{0181}

From the point of view of a more visible demonstration of the effect that liquids after penetrating through the nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5 are more difficult to flow back, and the effect that the liquid penetrates the nonwoven material 22A, while the liquid diffuses in a plane direction nonwoven fabric 102, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 143 of the second layer and the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second section 133 of the first layer (the first section 143 of the second layer in the second portion 133 of the first layer) is preferably 1 degree or more, and particularly preferably 2 degrees or more; and preferably 30 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 25 degrees or less. For example, this difference is preferably 1 degree or more and 30 degrees or less, and more preferably 2 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less.

{0182}

In addition, from the point of view of a smoother penetration of liquid from the first layer 130 into the second layer 140, in the nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 131 of the first layer and the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer (the first portion 131 of the first layer to the second portion 142 of the second layer) is preferably 2 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 5 degrees or more; and preferably is 55 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 45 degrees or less. For example, the difference is preferably 2 degrees or more and 55 degrees or less, and more preferably 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less.

{0183}

In the first layer 130 of nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5, the degree of hydrophilicity may gradually increase from the first portion 131 to the second portion 133, or the degree of hydrophilicity may stepwise increase from the first portion 131 to the second portion 133. On the other hand, in the second layer 140, the degree of hydrophilicity may gradually increase from the first portion 143 to the second portion 142, or the degree of hydrophilicity may stepwise increase from the first portion 143 to the second portion 142.

{0184}

At the same time, FIG. 6 shows a specific example of a nonwoven fabric satisfying conditions II. The non-woven fabric 103 shown in FIG. 6 is a non-woven fabric obtained by bonding by blowing air, and it comprises a first layer 130 and a second layer 140. The first layer 130 and the second layer 40 'are directly brought into contact with each other, and between both no other layers are located in layers. The first layer 30 'and the second layer 140, each, are layers of one type of fiber, and they do not consist of a laminate of many layers, further divided into other layers. The first layer 130 and the second layer 140 are connected to each other in all areas on the surfaces facing each other, and no gaps are formed between the two layers 130 and 140. In addition to this, in FIG. 6, the first layer 130 and the second layer 140 are shown with the same thickness, but this is because the layers 30 ′ and 40 ′ are shown schematically. In real nonwoven fabric 103, the thickness of the first layer 130 and the thickness of the second layer 140 may vary.

{0185}

In the nonwoven fabric 103 shown in FIG. 6, both the first layer 130 and the second layer 140 are composed of randomly stacked fibers. The fibers constituting the first layer 130 are fused at the intersections of the fibers using an air blow bonding method. The same rule applies to the second layer 140. In addition, at the boundary between the first layer 130 and the second layer 140, the intersection between the fibers constituting the first layer 130 and the fibers constituting the second layer 140 is fused using an air blow bonding method. In addition, the fibers constituting the first layer 130 can be bonded by means other than fusion using the bonding method by blowing air. For example, the fibers can be further bonded by means such as fusion by thermal embossing, weaving by high pressure jet flow, adhesion by adhesive, or the like. The same rule also applies to the second layer 140, as well as to the boundary between the first layer 130 and the second layer 140.

{0186}

In the present description, when the second layer 140, consisting of one layer, is virtually dissected in the thickness direction, the portion on the side near the first layer 130 is referred to as the “first portion 141 of the second layer”, and the portion on the side farthest from the first layer 130 is referred to as “ the second section 142 of the second layer ”of two dissected sections. The second layer 140 consists of one layer, and therefore, there is no boundary between the second section 141 and the second section 142. In addition, the fibers constituting the first portion 141 and the fibers constituting the second portion 142 are identical.

{0187}

In the second layer 140 in the nonwoven fabric 103 shown in FIG. 6, the degree of hydrophilicity of the second portion 142 is higher than the degree of the first portion 141. To give the second layer 140 of this gradient a degree of hydrophilicity, the fibers onto which the fiber treating agent discussed above is adhered the present invention, preferably contained in the second layer 140. In this case, in the second layer 140, the degree of hydrophilicity may gradually increase from the first section 141 to the second section 142, or the degree of hydrophilicity may stepwise increase from the first section 141 to the second section 142. From the point of view of improving the liquid penetration in the thickness direction, the degree of hydrophilicity preferably increases gradually from the first section 141 to the second section 142. Also, from the point of view of giving the gradient the degree of hydrophilicity at which the degree of hydrophilicity gradually increasing, the fibers on which the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, previously discussed, are adhered are preferably contained in the second layer 140.

{0188}

Whether the degree of hydrophilicity increases gradually or stepwise, in the second layer 140, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first portion 141 of the second layer is preferably 50 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 60 degrees or more; and preferably 80 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 75 degrees or less. For example, the contact angle with water for fibers contained in the first portion 141 of the second layer is preferably 50 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less; and more preferably 60 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less. On the other hand, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is preferably 30 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 40 degrees or more; and preferably 75 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 70 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is less than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first section 141 of the second layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer is preferably 30 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less.

{0189}

In contrast to the second layer 140 having a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity, the degree of hydrophilicity of the first layer 130 becomes the same in any areas of the first layer 130. In addition, the degree of hydrophilicity in the first layer 130 is lower than the degree of hydrophilicity in the first portion 141 of the second layer. Thus, in the nonwoven fabric 20B shown in FIG. 6, the degree of hydrophilicity increases in order: the first layer 130, the first section 141 of the second layer and the second section 142 of the second layer. The contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first layer 130 is preferably 75 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 80 degrees or more; and preferably 90 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 85 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first layer 130 is greater than the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first plot 141 of the second layer. For example, the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first layer 130 is preferably 75 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, and more preferably 80 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less.

{0190}

For the formation of the first layer 130, in which the degree of hydrophilicity becomes the same in all areas, you can, for example, use an agent called a sizing agent, which has so far been used to impart hydrophilicity to the fibers, if necessary. For example, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and so on can be used. In addition, the constituent fibers of the first layer 130 are preferably not treated even by any of the above components (A) to (C). In the case, the agent for destroying the liquid film is preferably bonded to at least the first layer 130, and in addition, it is also preferably bonded to the second layer 140.

{0191}

From the point of view of smoother penetration of liquid from the first layer 130 into the second layer 140, in the nonwoven fabric 103 shown in FIG. 6, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first layer 130 and the contact angle with water for the fibers, contained in the first section 141 of the second layer (the first layer 130 is the first section 141 of the second layer), is preferably 1 degree or more, particularly preferably 10 degrees or more, and more preferably 15 degrees or more; and preferably 40 degrees or less, particularly preferably 30 degrees or less, and more preferably 25 degrees or less. For example, the difference is preferably 1 degree or more and 40 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less, and even more preferably 15 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less.

{0192}

From the same point of view, as described above, in the nonwoven fabric 103 shown in FIG. 6, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the first layer 130 and the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the second portion 142 of the second layer (the first layer 130 is the second section 142 of the second layer), is preferably 2 degrees or more, particularly preferably 10 degrees or more, and more preferably 20 degrees or more; and preferably 60 degrees or less, particularly preferably 50 degrees or less, and more preferably 35 degrees or less, according to and due to conditions under which the difference is greater than the difference in contact angles discussed above between the first layer 130 and the first portion 141 of the second layer. For example, this difference is preferably 2 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, and even more preferably 20 degrees or more and 35 degrees or less.

{0193}

To obtain non-woven materials (non-woven materials obtained by binding by blowing air) 100, 101 and 102, each, satisfying conditions I, and a non-woven material (non-woven material obtained by binding by blowing air) 103, satisfying conditions II, there is a method using the above agent for treating the fibers of the present invention and appropriate control of the conditions of pressurization of hot air during heat treatment using the above method of binding by blowing air or anything like that, namely, controlling the temperature and the amount of hot air accordingly.

{0194}

For example, to give the first layer a gradient of hydrophilicity, as described in (11), the fibers onto which the above-described fiber treatment agent of the present invention adheres are preferably contained in the first layer. Similarly, in order to impart a degree of hydrophilicity to the second layer, as described in (22), the fibers onto which the fiber treating agent described above is adhered to are preferably contained in the second layer. In this case, in the first layer or the second layer, the degree of hydrophilicity may gradually increase from the first section to the second section, or the degree of hydrophilicity may stepwise increase from the first section to the second section. From the point of view of improving liquid penetration in the thickness direction, the degree of hydrophilicity is preferably gradually increased from the first portion to the second portion of the first layer or second layer.

{0195}

In addition, in particular, when the nonwoven fabric 102 shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, in order to obtain an inverse ratio of the degree of hydrophilicity between the second portion 133 of the first layer and the first portion 143 of the second layer relative to the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. 4, each agent for the fiber treatment agent is advantageously selected such that when the fiber treatment agent used in the first layer 130 is compared with the fiber treatment agent used in the second layer 140, the degree of hydrophilicity of the fiber treatment agent used in the second layer 140 becomes lower than that of the agent used in the first layer 130. In addition, the ratio of the degree of hydrophilicity between the second portion 133 of the first layer and the first portion 143 of the second layer can be reversed with respect to the nonwoven fabric 101 shown in FIG. .4, also using the thermally extendible fibers discussed above as constituent fibers 140 of the second layer.

{0196}

(A preferred aspect of the convex-concave shape of the nonwoven material of the present invention)

Specific examples of a preferred aspect of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention include a convex-concave non-woven fabric, which consists of inserted thermoplastic fibers and has a first surface and a second surface located on its side opposite the first side, and at least the first surface has a convex-concave a shape having a plurality of convex parts protruding on the side of the first surface, and concave parts located between the convex parts.

Next, a specific example of a nonwoven fabric having a convex-concave shape will be described.

Specific examples include the nonwoven fabric shown in FIG. 7, which uses heat shrink fibers (first aspect). The nonwoven fabric 10 shown in FIG. 7 contains two layers: a top layer 11 on the side of the first surface 1A (surface in contact with skin when used as a top sheet); and a lower layer 12 on the side of the second surface 1B (a surface without skin contact when used as a top sheet). In addition, embossing is applied to it from the side of the first surface 1A in the thickness direction, and the two layers are bonded (the part subjected to embossing is referred to as the embossed concave part (concave binding part) 13). The bottom layer 12 is a layer in which thermal shrinkage of heat shrink fibers develops. The top layer 11 is a layer containing fibers without heat shrinkage, and these fibers without heat shrinkage partially bind in a concave binder parts 13. Fibers without heat shrinkage include, without limitation, fibers that do not shrink at all when heated, and fibers that shrink to the extent that the heat shrink of the shrink fibers in the lower layer 12 is not adversely affected.

For example, nonwoven material 10 can be obtained using the starting materials and the production method described in paragraphs {0032} - {0048} JP-A-2002-187228. For example, in this case, preparation, embossing or the like can be used for laminating the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12 from the side of the upper layer 11, and then the shrink fibers are heat-shrink by heat treatment. At the same time, neighboring embossed parts are attracted to each other due to shrinkage of the fibers, and the interval between them is reduced. Due to this deformation, the fibers in the upper layer 11 protrude upward on the side of the first surface 1A with the embossed concave part 13 as a base point for forming the convex part 14. Alternatively, the upper layer is laminated on the lower layer 12 in an elongation state of the lower layer 12 in which it develops thermal shrinkage, and the stamping described above is applied. Then, when the elongated state of the lower layer 12 relaxes, the side of the upper layer 11 protrudes upward on the side of the first surface 1A to form the convex portion 14. The embossing can be carried out using a method that should normally be used, such as thermal embossing and ultrasonic embossing. In addition, with respect to the bonding of both layers, an adhesive bonding method may be used.

{0197}

In the non-woven material 10 thus obtained, the upper layer 11 is pressed and bonded to the placement on the side of the lower layer 12 in the embossed concave part (concave binding part) 13. The embossed concave part 13 is formed in the plane direction in the form of separate dots, and the portion surrounded by the embossed concave portion 13 is the convex portion 14 discussed above, formed by lifting the top layer 11 upward. The convex portion 14 has a three-dimensional solid shape and forms, for example, a cup shape ol. The convex portion 14 formed by the manufacturing method as described above is in a state in which the fiber density is lower than the density of the fibers in the lower layer 12. The inner portion of the convex portion 14 may be filled with fibers, as shown in FIG. 7, or may have a formed hollow portion in which the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12 are separated from each other. The placement in the plane of the embossed concave part 13 and the convex part 14 may be formed arbitrarily, for example, be formed in the form of a lattice. Specific examples of the grill include an arrangement in which a plurality of rows formed from a plurality of embossed concave portions 13 are aligned, and the spacing for the embossed concave portions 13 in each row deviates half a step for adjacent rows. Placement on a plane can be formed in the form of an arbitrary structure, such as the shape of multi-row strips, the shape of a checkerboard and a spiral shape, instead of a lattice. In addition, the shape on the plane of the embossed concave portion 13 can be formed, wherein the shape is formed in the form of dots, circles, in an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape or in any polygonal shape, and can be selected accordingly, arbitrarily. In addition, the embossed concave portion 13 may be formed in a linear shape in addition to the shape of the dots.

{0198}

Non-woven material 10 has a convex-concave surface having a convex part 14 and an embossed concave part 13 on the side of the first surface 1A, and for this reason, it is excellent in moldability when the non-woven material 10 is elongated in the plane direction and in deformability when compression when the nonwoven fabric 10 is compressed in the thickness direction. In addition, the nonwoven material 10 is formed as a relatively bulk nonwoven material by lifting up the fibers in the upper layer 11, as described above. Thus, the user, when touching the nonwoven fabric 10, can feel a soft and delicate texture. In addition, in an absorbent article containing the nonwoven material 10 as a top sheet, in which the first surface 1A is used as the surface in contact with the skin and the second surface 1B is used as the surface without contact with the skin, the surface side in contact with the skin becomes excellent air permeability due to the convex-concave shape having convex parts 14 and embossed concave parts 13.

In addition, the nonwoven material 10 can be formed in the form of a material having a low residual liquid content, due to the fact that it contains the fiber processing agent of the present invention discussed above, with additional improvement in liquid permeability using a convex-concave surface and a dense part with embossments and excellent low backflow characteristics due to the gradient of hydrophilicity.

{0199}

The development mechanism of the excellent low fluid backflow characteristic of the nonwoven fabric 10 is specifically as described below.

That is, the nonwoven material 10 has a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity, in which the hydrophilicity on the flat surface of the second surface 1B is increased compared to the upper part T of the convex portion 14 having a large thickness and the embossed concave portion 13 having a small thickness on the side of the first surface 1A . Thus, when the liquid enters from the side of the first surface 1A forming a convex-concave surface, the liquid easily passes from the convex part 14 to the embossed concave part 13 and further, from the convex part 14 and the embossed part 13 to the side of the second surface 1B, and therefore the residual liquid content in the nonwoven material 10 is reduced, and the reverse flow of the liquid in the opposite direction is suppressed.

{0200}

The first surface 1A, which is the convex-concave surface of the nonwoven material 1, is a surface facing the embossing roller during embossing, and when processing with hot air in accordance with the bonding method by blowing air, facing the opposite surface as a whole ( permeable substrate), and on the side on which hot air is directly blown. Using this heat treatment, a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity is formed from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B.

{0201}

In the convex part 14, from the point of view of additional fluid penetration from the upper part to the back surface side (second surface 1B), the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the upper part and the contact angle with water for the fibers contained in the side the reverse surface is 3 degrees or more, and particularly preferably 5 degrees or more; and preferably is 25 degrees or less, and particularly preferably 20 degrees or less. For example, this difference is preferably 3 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, and more preferably 5 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less. To obtain a nonwoven material in which the difference in the contact angles of the constituent fibers between the upper part T and the reverse surface is in the range described above, only the agent for processing the fibers should be used, and the conditions for pressurizing hot air during heat treatment according to the method described above for bonding by blowing air, namely, the temperature and amount of air for hot air should only be controlled appropriately.

{0202}

In addition, the nonwoven material 10 may further comprise other layers, without limitation, with a two-layer structure of the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12. For example, a monolayer or a plurality of layers may be located between the upper layer 11 and the lower layer 12, or a monolayer or many layers may be located on the side of the first surface 1A or on the side of the second surface 1B of the nonwoven material 10. The monolayer or the plurality of layers may be a layer containing shrink fibers or a layer containing fibers without heat shrinkage.

{0203}

As other specific examples of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention having a convex-concave shape, the nonwoven materials 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 are shown below (second to seventh aspects).

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the nonwoven fabric 20 of the second aspect has a two-layer structure containing the hollow portion 21. All layers contain thermoplastic fibers. The nonwoven material 20 has a bonding portion 22 in which the first nonwoven material 20A and the second nonwoven material 20B are partially bonded by fusion. The non-bonding portion 24 surrounded by the bonding portions 22 contains a large number of convex portions 23 in which the first non-woven fabric 20A protrudes away from the second non-woven material 20B, with the formation of a hollow part 21 between them. The bonding portion 22 is a concave portion located between adjacent convex portions 23, constituting the convex-concave shape of the first surface 1A in combination with the convex portions 23. Non-woven material 20 can be formed using a method that should normally be used. For example, the first non-woven material 20A is given a convex-concave shape by coupling two convex-concave rolls, and then a second non-woven material is laminated thereon to obtain the non-woven material 20.

For example, when the nonwoven material 20 is laminated on an absorbent mass as a top sheet in which the first surface 1A is directed toward the side of the surface in contact with the skin, and used, the nonwoven material 20 is excellent in liquid permeability from the side of the first surface 1A to the second side surface 2B. Specifically, liquid penetration through the hollow portion 21 is excellent. In addition, user body pressure is applied to the convex portions 23, and the liquid in the convex portion 23 directly migrates to the second nonwoven fabric 3. Thus, the residual liquid content on the side of the first surface 1A is small. In addition, the nonwoven material 20 is provided with a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity increasing from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B due to the application of heat treatment therefrom from the first surface 1A, while giving it excellent low liquid flow characteristics. This effect can, in addition, be demonstrated for a long time due to the effect of the agent for breaking the liquid film, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, as discussed above. That is, even if long-term use is carried out or there is a large number of secretions, the passage of liquid during penetration is ensured by the destruction of the liquid film and, therefore, liquid permeability can be sufficiently demonstrated, as described above, and the low liquid backflow characteristics are maintained even under pressure from the body . Thus, the window of design possibilities with respect to fiber diameter and fiber density is enlarged.

{0204}

Further, as shown in Figures 9 (A) and 9 (B), the nonwoven fabric 30 of the third aspect contains thermoplastic fibers and contains a first 301 layer of fibers having a convex-concave shape on both sides. Fig. 9 (A) shows a nonwoven fabric 30A comprising a single layer structure comprising a first fiber layer 301. Fig. 9 (B) shows a nonwoven fabric 30B having a two-layer structure comprising a first fiber layer 310 and a second fiber layer 302 connected on the side of the second surface 1B of the first fiber layer 301. Next, each nonwoven fabric will be described specifically.

In the nonwoven fabric 30A (first fiber layer 301) shown in FIG. 9 (A), the first protruding part 31 protruding from the first surface 1A and the second protruding part 32 protruding on the side of the second surface 1B are alternately, continuously arranged in different intersecting directions in a top view of the nonwoven fabric 30A. The first protruding part 31 and the second protruding part 32 each each have an inner space open on the side of each opposite surface, and these parts form concave parts 33 and 34 on the surface. Thus, the first surface 1A has a first protruding portion 31 of a convex-concave shape and a concave portion 34. In addition, the second surface 1B has a second protruding portion 32 of a convex-concave shape and a concave portion 33. In addition, the nonwoven fabric 30A has a wall portion 35 which connects the first protruding part 31 to the second protruding part 32. The wall part 35 forms a wall surface for each inner space in the first protruding part 31 and in the second protruding part 32, and has an annular structure in the plane direction awns. The fibers that make up the wall portion 35 have the property of orienting the fibers at all points of the ring structure in the direction connecting the first protruding part 31 and the second protruding part 32. Thus, elasticity is generated in the part of the wall. As a result, the nonwoven fabric 30A has moderate properties. cushioning, and even when pressure is applied to it, the nonwoven fabric 30A is excellent in recoverability and the destruction of each interior space can be eliminated. In addition, the distribution of body pressure is high and the contact area is also limited by protrusions on both surfaces, and for this reason, the non-woven fabric 30A is excellent in soft texture properties and in preventing backflow of liquid. The nonwoven fabric 30A can be used as the top sheet of an absorbent article from any of the surfaces as the side of the surface in contact with the skin, and it can give the absorbent article moderate damping properties, soft texture characteristics and excellent low liquid backflow.

In the nonwoven fabric 30B shown in FIG. 9 (B), the second layer of fiber 302 is arranged and bonded in a convex-concave shape on the side of the second surface 1B of the first fiber layer 301 discussed above. In the nonwoven fabric 30B, the first surface 1A is typically used as a surface in contact with the skin. On the side of the first surface 1A of the nonwoven fabric 30B, a first convex-concave protruding portion 31 and a concave portion 34 of the first fiber layer 301 are distributed, and a wall portion 35 having an annular structure is disposed between the first protruding portion 31 and the concave portion 32. Accordingly, the nonwoven fabric 30B also has fiber orientation properties of the first fiber layer 301 discussed above, and thus elasticity is generated in a part of the wall, and the non-woven fabric 30B is excellent in recovering convex-concave ormy.

In addition, in the non-woven material 30B, the formation of a fiber web, the formation of the non-woven material, and the bonding of both layers are carried out by hot air treatment in the step air pressurization, and for this reason, the non-woven material 30B is formed as bulky and having a generally low base mass. In particular, the bonding of both fiber layers 301 and 302 is carried out by fusing the fibers to each other under the influence of hot air, and for this reason, a gap between the fibers is formed in the connecting part between the fiber layers, and the liquid passage speed is high even in the concave portion 32, serving as a binding part. In addition, the nonwoven fabric 30B has, on the side of the second surface 1B in the upper part of the first protruding part 31 in the first fiber layer 301, a part 36 in which the fiber density in the second fiber layer 302 is lower than the fiber density in the first fiber layer 301 and other parts of the second layer 302 fibers. The existence of a portion 36 having a lower fiber density facilitates sifting in the first protruding portion 31 in the first fiber layer 301 even at low load, and for this reason, the cushioning properties of the nonwoven fabric 30B are improved. When the nonwoven material 30B is used as the top sheet of the absorbent article, the side of the first surface 1A (namely, the side of the first fiber layer 301) is preferably used as the surface side in contact with the skin.

In addition, the nonwoven fabric 30 (30A and 30B) is also provided with a gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity increasing from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B, by applying heat treatment to it from the first surface 1A, while giving it excellent low liquid flow characteristics . In addition, this effect can be demonstrated for a long time under the action of the agent for breaking the liquid film from the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, as discussed above. That is, even if long-term use is carried out or there is a large number of discharges, the passage of liquid during penetration is ensured by the destruction of the liquid film, and for this reason, the liquid permeability, as described above, can be demonstrated to a sufficient degree, and the low liquid backflow characteristics are preserved even under body pressure. Thus, the window of design possibilities with respect to fiber diameter and fiber density is expanded.

In preparing the nonwoven fabric 30 (30A and 30B), for example, an air purge treatment can be used in which a multi-stage hot air treatment is applied to a fiber web, while the hot air temperature and the hot air speed are controlled. For example, for nonwoven fabric 30A (first fiber layer 301), the production method described in paragraphs {0031} and {0032} of JP-A-2012-136790 can be used. In addition, a substrate that preferably has a solid protruding part and a part with holes is used as a substrate on which the web is given a convex-concave shape. For example, you can use the substrates shown in Figures 1 and 2 of JP-A-2012-149370, or the substrates shown in Figures 1 and 2 of JP-A-2012-149371. In addition, the non-woven material 30B (laminated non-woven material from the first fiber layer 301 and the second fiber layer 302) can be obtained by laminating the fiber web serving as the second fiber layer 302 in the air pressurization step of the first fiber layer 301. For example, you can use the production method described in paragraphs {0042} - {0064} JP-A-2013-124428.

{0205}

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the nonwoven fabric 40 in the fourth aspect is formed from a single layer containing thermoplastic fibers and has a shape in which a plurality of semi-cylindrical convex portions 41 and a plurality of concave portions 42 are located on the sides of the edges of the convex portions 41 alternately on the side of the first surface 1A. The lower concave portions 43 formed from fibers of the nonwoven fabric are disposed on the underside of the concave portions 42. The density of the fibers of the lower concave portions 43 is lower than for the convex portions 41. In the nonwoven fabric 30, another fiber layer 45 can be partially laminated on the convex portions 41 ( see, Fig.11). If the nonwoven material 40 is assembled in the absorbent article as a top sheet, on which the side of the first surface 1A is used as the surface side in contact with the skin, the liquid received by the convex part 41 easily migrates to the concave part 42, and easily migrates to the second surface side 1B in the concave portion 43. Thus, the amount of residual liquid is small, and adhesion to the skin is suppressed. In addition, the nonwoven material 40 is given a degree of hydrophilicity increasing from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B, when heat treatment is applied to it from the first surface 1A, thereby providing excellent low fluid backflow characteristics.

Also, in the nonwoven fabric 40, the passage of liquid upon penetration is ensured all the time by the action of the agent for disrupting the liquid film from the fiber treatment agent described above of the present invention, and the nonwoven fabric 40 is imparted with excellent low fluid backflow characteristics. Thus, the window of design possibilities with respect to fiber diameter and fiber density is expanded.

Such a nonwoven material 40 can be formed by moving the fibers by distributing a fluid, such as hot air, over a portion that is to be formed as a concave portion 42 relative to the fiber web. Thus, the density of the fibers of the lower concave portion 43 may decrease compared to its periphery.

{0206}

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the nonwoven fabric 50 in the fifth aspect has a convex-concave structure in which the protruding portions 51 in the form of stripes and the recessed portions 52 that extend in the same direction (Y direction) are arranged alternately. In addition, the convex-concave structure can be divided in the thickness direction of the non-woven fabric sheet 50 into three equal parts, an upper region 50A, a lower region 50B, and a side region 50C arranged therebetween.

The nonwoven fabric 50 has a plurality of fusion-connected parts 55 at the intersections of the component fibers 54. As shown in FIG. 13, focused on one component fiber 54, the component fiber 54 comprises, between adjacent fusion-related parts 55, a larger diameter part 57 located between the two parts 56 small diameter, each having a small fiber diameter. Thus, the flexibility of the nonwoven material 50 is improved, and its texture becomes satisfactory. In addition, the area of contact with the skin for a unit of fiber is reduced, and a better feeling of dry skin is obtained. In addition, from the point of view of flexibility, the transition point 58 from the small diameter part 56 to the large diameter part 57 is preferably in the range 1/3 of the interval T between adjacent fusion-related parts 55 and 55, while the transition point 38 is close to the fusion-connected part 55 (range T1 and T3 in FIG. 13). In addition, in the interval T, there may be many combinations of parts 56 of small diameter and parts 57 of large diameter located between them. The configuration of the small diameter part 56 and the large diameter part 57 in such a constituent fiber is formed from fibers that are stretched during processing by the seagull wing type to form a protruding part 51 and a recessed part 52. As the fibers used in the above case, the fibers having a high degree of stretching are preferred. Specific examples thereof include thermally elongate fibers in which the crystalline state of the resin changes with heating and the length increases, as obtained by the processing step described in paragraph {0033} JP-A-2010-168715.

In addition, from the point of view of liquid permeability, the nonwoven material 50 is preferably formed in such a way that the degree of hydrophilicity of the small diameter part is less than the hydrophilicity of the large diameter part. This difference with respect to the degree of hydrophilicity can be formed by introducing a stretchable component (hydrophobic component) into a fiber treatment agent that adheres to the fibers. In particular, preferably, it contains a stretchable component and a hydrophilic component. Specifically, when the fibers are stretched using the gull wing type stretching treatment described above, the stretched component is distributed in the small diameter portion 35 formed by stretching, generating a difference in the degree of hydrophilicity between the small diameter part and the large diameter part. In the part of the large diameter, the hydrophilic component, which is difficult to distribute, remains in it, while the degree of hydrophilicity becomes higher compared to the part of the small diameter. Specific examples of the stretchable component include a silicone resin having a low glass transition temperature and molecular chain flexibility, and a polyorganosiloxane containing a Si — O — Si chain as the main chain is preferably used as a silicone resin.

In addition, from the point of view of the liquid permeability described above, in the nonwoven fabric 50, the fiber density in the region of the side wall of 3 ° C is preferably lower than the density of the fibers in the upper region 30A and in the region of the lower part 30B.

Also, for nonwoven fabric 50, heat treatment from a first surface is applied to it. 1A to obtain a degree of hydrophilicity increasing from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B, and the nonwoven fabric 50 is given an excellent characteristic low backflow of fluid. In addition, penetration of the liquid is ensured at all times by the agent for destroying the liquid film of the fiber treating agent of the present invention described above, and the nonwoven fabric 50 is imparted with excellent low fluid return characteristics. Thus, the window of design possibilities is expanding with respect to fiber diameter and fiber density.

The nonwoven fabric 50 can be used alone, associated with a flat layer of fibers in a laminated nonwoven material, or laminated on a fiber layer having a convex-concave shape, in a laminated non-woven material, combined according to the convex-concave shape. For example, the nonwoven fabric 50 may be laminated on the second nonwoven fabric in the nonwoven fabric 20 of the second aspect (FIG. 8) or laminated on the nonwoven fabric 30A of the third aspect (FIG. 9 (A)), or on the nonwoven fabric 40 of the fourth aspect (FIG. 10 or 11).

{0207}

In addition, the nonwoven material 60 of the sixth aspect has a convex-concave shape with thermally extendable fibers. As shown in Figures 14 (A) and 14 (B), the nonwoven fabric 60 has a small thickness part 68 and a large thickness part 69 different from the part 68, and has a convex-concave shape on the side of the first surface 1A. The side of the second surface 1B is flat or has a significantly lower degree of convexity-concavity in comparison with the side of the first surface 1A. Specifically, the convex-concave shape on the side of the first surface 1A comprises a plurality of convex parts 61 (large thickness part 69) and linear concave parts 62 (small thickness part 68) surrounding the convex parts 61. The concave part 62 has a compression adhesion part in which the components the fibers of the nonwoven material 60 are subjected to compression bonding or adhesion, and the thermally elongate fibers are in an elongated state. The convex portion 61 is a portion in which thermally elongate fibers are thermally elongated and rise upward on the side of the first surface 1A. Accordingly, the convex portion 61 is formed as a volume portion in which the fiber density is lower than the concave portion 62. In addition, the linear concave portions 62 are arranged in a lattice shape, and the convex portions 61 are located in each region highlighted by the lattice in a separate manner. Thus, in the nonwoven fabric 60, the area of contact with the skin of the user is suppressed, while musty and overheating are effectively prevented. In addition, the convex portion 61 in contact with the skin is bulky due to the thermal elongation of thermally elongate fibers in the form of a soft texture. In addition to this, the nonwoven material 60 may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure of two or more layers. For example, when the nonwoven fabric 60 has a two-layer structure, the layer on the side of the second surface 1B preferably does not contain thermally extendible fibers or has a lower content of thermally extendible fibers than the layer on the side of the first surface 1A having a convex-concave shape. In addition, both layers are preferably bonded in the compression adhesion portion of the concave portion 62.

Also, for nonwoven fabric 60, with respect to embossing processing and hot air blowing treatment, as discussed below, heat treatment is applied to it from the first surface 1A to obtain a degree of hydrophilicity increasing from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B. Thus, the nonwoven fabric 60 is imparted with excellent low fluid backflow characteristics. In addition, penetration of the liquid is ensured at all times by the agent for destroying the liquid film of the fiber treating agent of the present invention described above, and the nonwoven fabric 60 is imparted with excellent low fluid return characteristics. Thus, the window of design possibilities with respect to fiber diameter and fiber density is expanded.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 (B), as the hydrophilicity gradient described above, the contact angle with water for the fibers on a flat surface (back surface) P2 on the side of the second surface 1B of the convex portion 61 is preferably smaller than the contact angle with water for fibers of the upper part P1 of the convex portion 61. Thus, when the side of the first surface 1A is used as the surface side of the absorbent article in contact with the skin, in the convex portion 61 having a thickness greater than the thickness of the concave portion 62, smoother penetration of fluid in the direction of thickness from the top of P1, wherein the discharged liquid is directly received on the reverse surface P2, and the characteristics of the low content of the residual liquid can be further improved. From this point of view, the difference between the contact angle with water for the fibers of the upper part P1 and the contact angle with water for the fibers on the reverse surface P2 (upper part P1 is the rear surface P2) is preferably 3 degrees or more, and more preferably 5 degrees or more; and preferably 25 degrees or less, and more preferably 20 degrees or less. For example, this difference is preferably 3 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, and more preferably 5 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less.

Such nonwoven fabric 60 can be obtained, for example, in a step as shown in FIG. First, a fiber web 612 is formed using a carding machine 611. A fiber web 612 is introduced into the embossing device 613 provided with a pair of rolls 614 and 615 to thermally emboss to form a linear concave portion 62. At this time, in the concave portion 62 thermally elongated fibers are subjected to compression bonding or fusion without thermal elongation and are fixed. Then, the heat treatment is applied to the web 616 after embossing with the hot air treatment device 617 according to the air purge bonding method to produce the nonwoven fabric 60. At this time, the thermally elongate fibers present in parts other than the concave portion 62 are lengthened by the treatment by blowing air, and the convex part 61 is formed. To obtain a nonwoven material in the above-described range of the difference between the contact angles, it is necessary to use only an agent for processing fibers of the present invention for the corresponding control conditions (temperature and amount of air hot air) nadduvaemogo hot air, the thermal treatment according to the method of bonding air blowing described above. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric 60 may be blended fibers from the thermally extendible fibers described above and the thermally extendible and hot melt fibers. As these constituent fibers, for example, the fibers described in paragraphs {0013} and {0037} - {0040} JP-A-2005-350836, the fibers described in paragraphs {0012} and {0024} - {0046} can be used. JP-A-2011-1277258, and so on.

{0208}

Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the seventh aspect nonwoven fabric 70 is a laminated nonwoven fabric formed from an upper layer 71 and a lower layer 72, each containing thermoplastic fibers. In the upper layer 71, the convex-shaped portions 73 and the concave-shaped portions 74 are arranged alternately, and the concave-shaped portions 74 have openings. The density of the fibers in the concave-shaped portion 74 is lower compared to the density of the fibers in the convex-shaped portion 73. The region in which the convex-shaped portions 73 and the concave-shaped portions 74 are arranged alternately and periodically may exist throughout or in part of the upper layer 71. When the region in which the convex-shaped portions 73 and the concave-shaped portions 74 are arranged alternately and periodically is present on the upper layer portion, this region is preferably present as the portion serving as the liquid receiving region (the region corresponding to the highlight portion) when using a non-woven material 70 as the top sheet of an absorbent article. On the other hand, the bottom layer 72 has a substantially uniform fiber density. The bottom layer 72 is laminated at least in accordance with a region in which the convex-shaped portions 73 and the concave-shaped portions 74 of the upper layer 71 are alternately and periodically arranged. Thus, the nonwoven material 70 has bulk cushioning properties due to the high density of the fibers in the convex shaped portion 73, and if the nonwoven material 70 is used as the top sheet of the absorbent article, backflow of liquid becomes difficult. In addition, the nonwoven material 70 has a low fiber density in the concave portion 74 and is in an open state, and for this reason, the nonwoven material 70 has excellent liquid permeability, in particular liquid permeability with high viscosity.

Also, for the nonwoven material 70, heat treatment is applied to it from the first surface 1A to obtain a degree of hydrophilicity increasing from the side of the first surface 1A to the side of the second surface 1B, and the nonwoven material 70 is given excellent low fluid return characteristics. In addition, penetration of the liquid is ensured at all times by the agent for destroying the liquid film of the fiber treating agent of the present invention described above, and the nonwoven fabric 70 is provided with excellent low fluid return characteristics. Thus, the window of possibilities is expanded with respect to fiber diameter and fiber density.

Such nonwoven material 70 can be obtained using the method described, for example, in line 12 in the lower left column on page 6 - in line 19 in the upper right column on page 8 in JP-A-H4-24263.

{0209}

The nonwoven material of the present invention can be applied in various fields to obtain the benefits of a soft texture and reduce residual liquid content. For example, such a material is preferably used as a top sheet, a second sheet (a sheet located between the top sheet and the absorbent mass), a backing sheet, or a leak prevention sheet in an absorbent product used to absorb fluids released from the body, such as a sanitary pad , panty liner for every day, disposable diaper, urological pads; personal wipe; napkin for skin care; in addition, for wiping material for an object or the like. When the nonwoven material of the present invention is used as a top sheet or a second sheet of an absorbent article, the side of the first layer of nonwoven material is preferably used as the side of the surface facing the skin. In addition, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can be applied to various fibrous materials, such as woven materials, without limitation by nonwoven materials, provided that the destruction of the liquid film is affected.

{0210}

Regarding the base mass of the web used to produce the nonwoven material of the present invention, the appropriate range is selected in accordance with the specific application of the target nonwoven material. The base mass of the nonwoven material to be ultimately obtained is preferably 10 g / m ² or more and 80 g / m ² or less, and particularly preferably 15 g / m ² or more and 60 g / m ² or less.

{0211}

An absorbent article used to absorb fluid released by the body is typically provided with a top sheet, a backing sheet, and an absorbent liquid holding medium located between both sheets. As the absorbent mass and the backing sheet, when the nonwoven material of the present invention is used as the top sheet, the material that is usually to be used in this field can be used without any restrictions. For example, as an absorbent mass, such a material can be used as it is obtained by coating it with a coating sheet such as cosmetic paper and non-woven material, a fibrous aggregate formed from fiber material such as pulp fibers, or a fibrous aggregate with a polymer super absorbent in it . As the backing sheet, a thermoplastic resin film or a liquid impervious or water-repellent sheet such as a laminate of a film and non-woven material can be used. The backing sheet may have water and vapor permeability. In addition, the absorbent article may be further provided with various elements in accordance with the particular application of the absorbent article. Such an element is known to those skilled in the art. For example, when an absorbent article is used for a disposable diaper or sanitary towel, one pair or two or more pairs of three-dimensional cuffs may be located on the right and left side parts of the top sheet.

{0212}

Regarding the above embodiments and aspects, the present invention further describes a non-woven material, an absorbent article and an agent for treating fibers, as described below.

{0213}

<1>

A non-woven material to which a fiber treatment agent is adhered, wherein the fiber treatment agent comprises a liquid film breaking agent and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below:

Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

Component (B): polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester

Component (C): Amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0214}

<2>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <1>, where the solubility in water of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less.

{0215}

<3>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <1> or <2>, where the spreading coefficient of the agent for destruction of the liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 15 or more.

{0216}

<4>

A nonwoven fabric comprising the following compound and any one or more of the components selected from component (A), component (B), and component (C), as described below:

Compound: a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 or more, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less

Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

Component (B): polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0217}

<5>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <4>, where the spreading coefficient of the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film is more preferably 20 mN / m or more, even more preferably 25 mN / m or more and particularly preferably 30 mN / m or more.

<6>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <5>, where the tension at the interface of a compound or agent for breaking a film of liquid with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 20 mN / m or less, more preferably 17 mN / m or less, even more preferably 13 mN / m or less, even more preferably 10 mN / m or less, particularly preferably 9 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 1 mN / m or less; and more than 0 mN / m.

{0218}

<7>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <6>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a compound containing at least one kind of structure selected from the group including the following structures X, XY and YXY:

where structure X denotes a siloxane chain having a structure in which any of the basic structures> C (A) - (C denotes a carbon atom, in addition, <,> and -, each denotes a chemical bond, the same will be dealt with later) , -C (A) ₂ -, -C (A) (B) -,> C (A) -C (R ¹ ) <,> C (R ¹ ) -, -C (R ¹ ) (R ² ) -, -C (R ¹ ) ₂ -,> C <, -Si (R ¹ ) ₂ O- and -Si (R ¹ ) (R ² ) O- are repeated, or two or more of their species are combined; or a mixed chain of them; structure X contains at the end of structure X, a hydrogen atom or at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of —C (A) ₃ , —C (A) ₂ B, —C (A) (B) _2, -C (A) ₂ -C (R ¹ ) ₃ , -C (R ¹ ) ₂ A, -C (R ¹ ) ₃ , -OSi (R ¹ ) ₃ , -OSi (R ¹ ) ₂ (R ² ) , -Si (R ¹ ) ₃ and -Si (R ¹ ) ₂ (R ² );

where R ¹ and R ² each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group or a halogen atom; A and B each independently represent a substituent containing an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom; when there are many R ¹ , R ² , A and B for each structure X, they may be the same or different; and

where Y represents a hydrophilic group having hydrophilicity, the group contains an atom selected from a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a phosphorus atom or a sulfur atom; and when there are many Ys, they can be the same or different.

<8>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above <1> - <7>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a compound consisting of a siloxane chain, in which the structures represented by any of the following Formulas (1) to (11) ,, arbitrarily combined:

{0219}

where in Formulas (1) to (11), M ¹ , L ¹ , R ²¹ and R ²² denote the following monovalent or polyvalent (divalent or higher valency) group; R ²³ and R ²⁴ denote the following monovalent or polyvalent (divalent or higher valency) group or single bond;

M ¹ denotes a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, a group containing a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them, an erythritol group, a xylitol group, a sorbitol group, a glycerol group, an ethylene glycol group, a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, a mercapto group, an alkoxy group, amino group, amide group, imino group, phenolic group, sulfonic acid group, quaternary ammonium group, sulfobetainic group, hydroxysulfobetainic group, phosphobetaino a group, an imidazolium betaine group, a carbobetaine group, an epoxy group, a carbinol group, a (meth) acrylic group or a functional group in combination with them; when M ¹ is a polyvalent group, M ¹ is a group formed by additionally removing one or more hydrogen atoms from each of the groups, or a functional group;

L ¹ represents a linking group, an ether group, an amino group (the amino group used as L ¹ is represented as> NR ^C (R ^C represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent group)), an amide group, an ester group, a carbonyl group or a carbonate a group; and

R ²¹ , R ²² , R ²³ and R ²⁴ each independently represent an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a halogen atom.

{0220}

<9>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <8>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a compound in which the main chain contains a silicone chain.

<10>

The nonwoven material according to any one of the above <1> to <8>, wherein the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film preferably contains a modified silicone having a structure containing at least one oxygen atom in the modified group.

<11>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <10>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone.

<12>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <11>, where the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone is any of the following Formulas [I] - [IV]:

where R ³¹ denotes an alkyl group; R ³² is a single bond or an alkylene group; the plurality of R ³¹ and the plurality of R ³² may be, each, the same or different; M ¹¹ denotes a group containing a polyoxyalkylene group; as the polyoxyalkylene group, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group and a material in which their constituent monomers are copolymerized, or the like, are taken; and m and n each independently represent an integer of 1 or more.

{0221}

<13>

The non-woven material according to the above <11> or <12>, where the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone contains at least one polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group and a group in which their constituent monomers are copolymerized as a polyoxyalkylene group .

<14>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above <11> to <13>, where the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene groups of the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone added is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 3 or more, and even more preferably 5 or more; and preferably 30 or less, more preferably 20 or less, and even more preferably 10 or less.

{0222}

<15>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <1> or <2>, where the spreading coefficient of the agent for destruction of the liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, more than 0 mN / m, and the tension on the interface of the agent for destruction a liquid film with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 20 mN / m or less.

{0223}

<16>

A nonwoven fabric comprising the following compound and any one or more of the components selected from component (A), component (B), and component (C), as described below:

Connection: a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, 20 mN / m or less

Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

Component (B): polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0224}

<17>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <15> or <16>, where the tension at the interface of a compound or agent for breaking a film of liquid with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 17 mN / m or less, more preferably 13 mN / m or less, even more preferably 10 mN / m or less, particularly preferably 9 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 1 mN / m or less; and more than 0 mN / m.

<18>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <15> - <17>, where the spreading coefficient of a compound or agent for breaking a film of liquid for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 9 mN / m or more, more preferably 10 mN / m or more, and even more preferably 15 mN / m or more; and 50 mN / m or less.

{0225}

<19>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <15> - <18>, where the compound or agent for the destruction of the liquid film contains a compound containing at least one kind of structure selected from the group including the following structures Z, ZY and yzy:

where the structure Z denotes a hydrocarbon chain having a structure in which any basic structure is repeated> C (A) - (C: carbon atom), -C (A) ₂ -, -C (A) (B) -,> C ( A) -C (R ³ ) <,> C (R ³ ) -, -C (R ³ ) (R ⁴ ) -, -C (R ³ ) ₂ - and> C <, or two or more of their types are combined ; structure Z has, at its end, a hydrogen atom or at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of —C (A) ₃ , —C (A) ₂ B, —C (A) (B) _2, -C (A) ₂ -C (R ³ ) ₃ , -C (R ³ ) ₂ A and -C (R ³ ) ₃ ;

R ³ and R ⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a fluorine atom; A and B each independently represent a substituent containing an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom;

Y denotes a hydrophilic group having hydrophilicity, a hydrophilic group containing an atom selected from a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a phosphorus atom and a sulfur atom; and when a plurality of Y is present, they may be the same or different.

<20>

The nonwoven fabric according to the above <19>, wherein Y is any group of a hydroxy group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, an imino group, and a phenolic group; polyoxyalkylene group; any group from the erythritol group, xylitol group, sorbitol group, glycerol group and ethylene glycol group; any group from the sulfonic acid group, sulfate group, phosphoric acid group, sulfobetainic group, carbobetainic group, phosphobetainic group, quaternary ammonium group, imidazolium betaine group, epoxy group, carbinol group and methacrylic group; or a hydrophilic group formed from a combination thereof.

<21>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <15> - <20>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a simple polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether or a hydrocarbon compound containing 5 or more carbon atoms.

<22>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <15> to <21>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a simple polyoxyalkylene alkyl (POA) ether represented by any of the formulas in the following Formula [V]; or any compound of polyoxyalkylene glycol, Steareth, Beheneth, PPG myristyl ether, PPG stearyl ether and PPG behenyl ether, which are represented by the following Formula [VI] and have a molecular weight of 1000 or more:

where L ²¹ represents an ether group, an amino group, an amide group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, a carbonate group, a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group or a polyoxyalkylene group in combination with them; R ⁵¹ represents a hydrogen atom substituent, methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, isopropyl group, butyl group, pentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, 2-ethyl-hexyl group, nonyl group, decyl group, methoxy group, ethoxy group a phenyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a fluorine atom; a, b, m and n each independently represent an integer of 1 or more; C _m H _n, as used herein, is an alkyl group (n = 2m + 1), and C _a H _b is an alkylene group (a = 2b); the number of carbon atoms and the number of hydrogen atoms, each independently determined in each of the formulas [V] and [VI], and they do not always represent the same integer numbers, and they can be different; “M” in - (C _a H _b O) _m - is an integer of 1 or more; and the values of the repeating units, each independently defined in each of the formulas [V] and [VI], and they do not always represent the same integers, and they can be different.

<23>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above <15> - <22>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a compound containing a polyoxyalkylene group, where the number of moles of the polyoxyalkylene group is 1 or more and 70 or less, more preferably 5 or more, and even more preferably 7 or more; and preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 or less, and even more preferably 50 or less.

<24>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <15> to <23>, where the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film contains a hydrocarbon compound containing 5 or more; and preferably 100 or less, and more preferably 50 or less carbon atoms.

<25>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <24>, where the hydrocarbon compound is not a polyorganosiloxane.

<26>

Non-woven material in accordance with the above paragraph <24> or <25>, where the hydrocarbon compound is represented by any of the following Formulas [VII] - [XV]:

where, in Formulas [VII] to [XV], m, m ′, m ″, n, n ′ and n ″, each independently represents an integer of 1 or more; the set m or the set n, each, are the same or different from each other; and in Formula [X], R ⁵² denotes a straight chain or branched chain, or a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 2 or more and 22 or less carbon atoms.

{0226}

<27>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <15> - <26>, where the spreading coefficient of a compound or agent for breaking a liquid film for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 9 mN / m or more, its solubility in water is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 9 mN / m or less, and its surface tension is 32 mN / m or less.

{0227}

<28>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <27>, where the solubility in water of a compound or agent for breaking a liquid film is preferably 0.0025 g or less, more preferably 0.0017 g or less, and even more preferably less than 0.0001 g; and preferably 1.0 x 10 ^-9 g or more.

{0228}

<29>

The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above <1> to <28>, further comprising an anionic surfactant such as a phosphoric acid ester.

<30>

Non-woven material according to the above paragraph <29>, where the ratio of the content of the compound or agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (agent for the destruction of the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester ) is 1.8 or less in terms of mass ratio.

<31>

Non-woven material according to the above <30>, wherein the ratio of the content of the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film to the anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester (the agent for breaking the liquid film / anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester ) is preferably 1.5 or less, and more preferably 1.2 or less; and preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.25 or more, and even more preferably 0.5 or more, in terms of mass ratio.

<32>

The nonwoven fabric according to any one of the above <29> to <31>, wherein the anionic surfactant of the phosphoric acid ester type is any compound of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid ester, a dialkyl ester of phosphoric acid and an alkyl ester phosphoric acid ester.

<33>

The nonwoven material according to <32> above, wherein the phosphoric acid alkyl ester is any compound of: a phosphoric acid alkyl ester containing a saturated carbon chain, such as a phosphoric acid stearyl ester, a phosphoric acid myristyl ester, phosphoric acid lauryl ester and phosphoric acid palmityl ester; phosphoric acid alkyl ester containing an unsaturated carbon chain, such as phosphoric acid oleyl ester and phosphoric acid palmitoleyl ester; and an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid containing a side chain in each of its carbon chains.

{0229}

<34>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above <1> to <33>, where the surface tension of the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably 32 mN / m or less, more preferably 30 mN / m or less, even more preferably 25 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 22 mN / m or less; and preferably 1 mN / m or more.

{0230}

<35>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <34>, where the melting point of the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably 40 ° C or less, and more preferably 35 ° C or less; and preferably -220 ° C or more, and more preferably -180 ° C or more.

{0231}

<36>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <35>, where the distance between the fibers in the non-woven material is preferably 150 μm or less, and more preferably 90 μm or less; and preferably 50 μm or more, and more preferably 70 μm or more.

<37>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <36>, where the fineness of the fibers of the non-woven material is preferably 3.3 decitex or less, and more preferably 2.4 decitex or less; and preferably 0.5 dtex or more, and more preferably 1.0 dtex or more.

{0232}

<38>

A nonwoven material according to any one of the above <1> to <37> containing a product obtained by adding alkylene oxide to a polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester, which is an esterified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid material, as a polyoxyalkylene-modified complex polyhydric alcohol ether and a fatty acid, which is a component (B).

<39>

The nonwoven material according to <38> above, wherein the alkylene oxide added to the polyhydric alcohol ester is a ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide.

<40>

A non-woven material according to any one of the above <1> to <39> containing polyoxyethylene-modified hydrogenated castor oil as a polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol ester of a fatty acid component (B).

{0233}

<41>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> to <37>, where, with respect to the anionic surfactant represented by Formula (S1), which is a component (A), X in Formula is —SO ₃ M, that is, the hydrophilic group is a sulfo group or a salt thereof, and preferably a dialkyl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

<42>

The nonwoven material in accordance with any of the above <1> - <37>, where, in relation to the anionic surfactant represented by Formula (S1), which is a component (A), X in Formula is -OSO ₃ M, that is, the hydrophilic group is a sulfate group or a salt thereof, and preferably a dialkyl sulfate ester.

<43>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above paragraphs <1> - <37>, where in relation to the anionic surfactant represented by Formula (S1), which is a component (A), X in Formula is -COOM, then that is, the hydrophilic group is a carboxy group or a salt thereof, and preferably a dialkyl carboxylic acid.

{0234}

<44>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above <1> - <37>, containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine, myristyl hydroxysulfobetaine and palmityl hydroxy sulfobetaine and stearyl hydroxy sulfobetaine, as an active amphoteric sulfonated a group representing component (C).

{0235}

<45>

Non-woven material in accordance with any of the above <1> to <44>, where the constituent fibers of the non-woven material contain hot-melt fibers, and where at least the surface of the hot-melt fibers is formed from a polyolefin-based resin.

{0236}

<46>

An absorbent article in which a nonwoven fabric is used in accordance with any of the above <1> to <45>.

<47>

An absorbent article in which a non-woven material according to any of the above paragraphs <1> to <45> is used as a top sheet.

<48>

Absorbent article in accordance with the above paragraph <46> or <47>, where the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.

{0237}

<49>

An agent for treating fibers containing an agent for destroying a liquid film and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below, wherein the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film is 50% by weight or less:

Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

Component (B): polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0238}

<50>

The fiber treatment agent according to the above <49>, wherein the water solubility of the liquid film breaking agent is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less.

{0239}

<51>

An agent for processing fibers in accordance with the above paragraph <49> or <50>, where the spreading coefficient of an agent for destroying a liquid film for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 15 or more.

{0240}

<52>

An agent for treating fibers containing the following compound and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below, where the content of the compound is 50% by mass or less:

Compound: a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 or more, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less

Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

Component (B): polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0241}

<53>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <49> to <52>, wherein the spreading coefficient of a compound or agent for breaking a liquid film is more preferably 20 mN / m or more, even more preferably 25 mN / m or more, and particularly preferably 30 mN / m or more.

<54>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <49> to <53>, wherein the tension at the interface of a compound or agent for breaking a film of liquid with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 20 mN / m or less, more preferably 17 mN / m or less, even more preferably 13 mN / m or less, more preferably 10 mN / m or less, particularly preferably 9 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 1 mN / m or less; and more than 0 mN / m.

{0242}

<55>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <49> to <54>, wherein the compound or agent for disrupting a liquid film preferably comprises a modified silicone having a structure containing at least one oxygen atom in the modified group.

{0243}

<56>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <49> to <55>, wherein the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film comprises a compound in which the main chain contains a silicone chain.

<57>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <49> to <56>, wherein the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film comprises a polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone.

<58>

An agent for treating fibers according to <57> above, wherein the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone contains at least one group of a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group, a polyoxybutylene group, and a group in which their constituent monomers are copolymerized as a polyoxyalkylene group .

{0244}

<59>

An agent for treating fibers according to the above <57> or <58>, wherein the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene groups of the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone added is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 3 or more, and even more preferably 5 or more; and preferably 30 or less, more preferably 20 or less, and even more preferably 10 or less.

{0245}

<60>

An agent for processing fibers in accordance with the above paragraph <49> or <50>, where the spreading coefficient of an agent for breaking a liquid film for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is greater than 0 mN / m and a tension at the interface of the agent to break the film of liquid with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 20 mN / m or less.

{0246}

<61>

An agent for treating fibers containing the following compound and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below, where the content of the compound is 50% by mass or less:

Connection: a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, 20 mN / m or less

Component (A): an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

Component (B): polyoxyalkylene-modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester

Component (C): amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium.

{0247}

<62>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with the above <60> or <61>, where the tension at the interface of a compound or agent for breaking a film of liquid with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 17 mN / m or less, more preferably 13 mN / m or less, even more preferably 10 mN / m or less, particularly preferably 9 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 1 mN / m or less; and more than 0 mN / m.

<63>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <60> to <62>, where the spreading coefficient of a compound or agent for breaking a liquid film for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is preferably 9 mN / m or more, more preferably 10 mN / m or more, and even more preferably 15 mN / m or more; and 50 mN / m or less.

{0248}

<64>

An agent for processing fibers in accordance with any of the above <60> - <63>, where the spreading coefficient of a compound or agent for breaking a liquid film for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 9 mN / m or more, it the solubility in water is 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 9 mN / m or less, and its surface tension is 32 mN / m or less.

{0249}

<65>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <60> to <64>, wherein the solubility in water of a compound or agent for breaking a liquid film is preferably 0.0025 g or less, more preferably 0.0017 g or less, and even more preferably, less than 0.0001 g; and preferably 1.0 x 10 ^-9 g or more.

{0250}

<66>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <60> to <65>, further comprising an anionic surfactant such as a phosphoric acid ester.

<67>

A fiber treatment agent according to the above <66>, wherein the ratio of the content of the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film to the anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester (the agent for breaking the liquid film / anionic surfactant such as ester phosphoric acid) is 1.8 or less in terms of mass ratio.

{0251}

<68>

An agent for treating fibers in accordance with any of the above <60> to <67>, wherein the surface tension of the compound or agent for breaking a liquid film is preferably 32 mN / m or less, more preferably 30 mN / m or less, even more preferably 25 mN / m or less, and particularly preferably 22 mN / m or less; and preferably 1 mN / m or more.

{0252}

<69>

An agent for treating fibers according to any one of the above <60> to <68>, wherein the melting point of the compound or agent for breaking the liquid film is preferably 40 ° C or less, and more preferably 35 ° C or less; and preferably -220 ° C or more, and more preferably -180 ° C or more.

Examples

{0253}

Below, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to them. In addition, terms such as “part” and “%” in the Examples are taken in relation to the mass, unless otherwise noted. In this section, a liquid film disruption agent mixed in a fiber treatment agent in the Examples and dimethylsilicon mixed in a fiber treatment agent in the Comparative Examples will generally be described as “component (T)” for convenience.

The surface tension, solubility in water and the tension at the interface of the agent for breaking the liquid film, and the contact angle with water for the fibers in the Examples described below are measured using the measurement method discussed above.

{0254}

(Example 1)

(1) Preparation of fiber treatment agent

The main component, in which an anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester and other components, as described below, are mixed, adjusted to a concentration of 25% by weight, a compound representing an agent for breaking a liquid film, and component (A), as described below, are mixed with the main component by mixing, and the resulting mixture is adjusted to the desired balance, and then diluted with water to prepare a diluted solution for coating the fibers in the form of a coating. In addition to this, as a “main component”, a component is used to ensure the stability of the emulsification of the agent, the manufacturability of the nonwoven material, hydrophilicity (initial hydrophilicity, long-term hydrophilicity) or the like, which is the main function of a conventional fiber processing agent. The components do not have the characteristics of an agent for breaking a liquid film of the present invention. For example, the following other components (i) have water solubility to the extent that flotation, precipitation, or precipitation are not observed, even if approximately 10 g of component (i) is dissolved in 100 g of deionized water.

The ratio of the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film to the anionic surfactant of the phosphoric acid ester type (the agent for the destruction of the liquid film / anionic surfactant of the phosphoric acid ester type) is adjusted to 0.45.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone
(KF-6015, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 10.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 22.2% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) - Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 17.8% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 26.7% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 13.3% of the mass

A polyoxyethylene (POE) -modified dimethylsilicone is prepared, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film in which X in the XY structure is formed from a dimethylsilicone chain consisting of -Si (CH ₃ ) ₂ O-, Y is formed from a POE chain consisting of - ( C ₂ H ₄ O) -, the final group of the POE chain is a methyl group (CH ₃ ), the modification ratio is 20%, the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene (POA) added is 3, and the weight average molecular weight is 4000.

The spreading coefficient of a polyoxyethylene (POE) -modified dimethyl silicone, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 28.8 mN / m, its surface tension is 21.0 mN / m, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, it is 0.2 mN / m and its solubility in water is less than 0.0001 g. These numerical values are measured using the measurement method discussed above. In the case, a solution is used as a “liquid with a surface tension of 50 mN / m”, and the solution is prepared by adding 3.75 μl of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate to 100 g of deionized water (trade name “Leodol Super TW-L120”, produced Kao Corporation), which is a non-ionic surfactant, using a micropipette (ACURA 825, manufactured by Socorex Isba SA), and the surface tension is adjusted to 50 ± 1 mN / m. In addition, water solubility is measured by adding an agent with an increment of 0.0001 g. As a result, a sample for which dissolution is not observed even if 0.0001 g is taken as “less than 0.0001 g” and a sample for which dissolution is observed at 0.0001 g, but there is no dissolution at 0.0002 g, taken as “0.0001 g”. Numerical values other than those given above are also measured using the same methods.

(2) Preparation of a Nonwoven Sample of Example 1

A sample of the convex-concave nonwoven material shown in Fig. 14 is prepared according to the method shown in Fig. 15. Specifically, a fiber web is first formed using heat-fusible bicomponent sheath-core fibers (fineness: 2.2 dtex, core component: PET, sheath component: PE) using a carding machine, and embossing is applied to the fiber web. The embossing is carried out in such a way that the embossed part is formed in the form of a lattice and the proportion of the embossed part area (extruded part) reaches 22%. The embossing temperature is 110 ° C. Then carry out the treatment by blowing air. As an air purge treatment, heat treatment is once performed with pressurization of hot air from the embossed surface during embossing. The temperature of the heat treatment during treatment by blowing air is brought to 136 ° C.

As shown in FIG. 14, the obtained hydrophilic nonwoven fabric has a small thickness part 68 (embossed part) and a large thickness part 69 other than part 68, and the side of the first surface 1A is formed as a wavy convex-concave surface having a convex part 61 and the concave portion 62, and the side of the second surface 1B is formed as a substantially flat surface. The base mass of the nonwoven material is 30 g / cm ² .

The diluted solution of the fiber treating agent discussed above is applied as a coating to the fibers used before preparing the nonwoven. As this coating method, the fibers are immersed in a dilute solution of the fiber treating agent discussed above, and the resulting material is dried.

The glued amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.45% by weight with respect to the weight of the fibers.

{0255}

(Example 2)

An agent for processing fibers for use in Example 2 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the mixing ratio of each component used in Example 1 is adjusted as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 2 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type ester of phosphoric acid (the agent for the destruction of the film of liquid / anionic surfactant type of ester of phosphoric acid) in the agent for processing fibers of Example 2 is brought to 1.03, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.43% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone
(KF-6015, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 20.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 19.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 15.6% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 23.3% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 11.7% of the mass

{0256}

(Example 3)

An agent for treating fibers for use in Example 2 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the mixing ratio of each component used in Example 1 is adjusted as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 3 is prepared as follows in the same manner as in Example 1.

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type ester of phosphoric acid (the agent for the destruction of the film of liquid / anionic surfactant type of ester of phosphoric acid) in the agent for processing fibers of Example 3 is brought to 1.80, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.44% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone
(KF-6015, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 30.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 16.7% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 13.3% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 20.0% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 10.0% of the mass

{0257}

(Example 4)

An agent for treating fibers for use in Example 2 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the mixing ratio of each component used in Example 1 is adjusted as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 4 is prepared in the same manner. manner as in Example 1.

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type ester of phosphoric acid (the agent for the destruction of the film of liquid / anionic surfactant type of ester of phosphoric acid) in the agent for processing fibers of Example 4 is brought up to 2.88, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.48% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone
(KF-6015, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 40.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 13.9% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 11.1% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 16.7% (iii) Stearyl betaine 8.3% of the mass

{0258}

(Example 5)

(1) Preparation of fiber treatment agent

An agent for treating fibers for use in Example 5 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components and mixing ratios are used as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 5 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

The ratio of the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (the agent for destroying the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester) in the fiber treatment agent of Example 5 is adjusted to 1.03, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.41% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone 20.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 19.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 15.6% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 23.3% (iii) Stearyl betaine 11.7% of the mass

A polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified dimethylsilicone is prepared (obtained by carrying out a hydrosylation reaction between silicone oil and a hydrocarbon compound), which is an agent for breaking a liquid film in which X in the XY structure is formed from a dimethylsilicone chain consisting of -Si (CH ₃ ) ₂ O-, Y is formed from a POP chain consisting of - (C ₃ H ₆ O) -, the final group of the POP chain is a methyl group (CH ₃ ), the modification ratio is 20%, the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene (POA) added is t 3 and the weighted average molecular weight is 4150.

The spreading coefficient of polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified dimethylsilicone, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 25.4 mN / m, its surface tension is 21.0 mN / m, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 3.6 mN / m, and its solubility in water is less than 0.0001 g.

{0259}

(Example 6)

(1) Preparation of fiber treatment agent

An agent for treating fibers for use in Example 6 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components and mixing ratios are used as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 6 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 .

The ratio of the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (the agent for destroying the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester) in the fiber treatment agent of Example 5 is adjusted to 1.03, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.41% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone 20.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 19.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 15.6% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 23.3% (iii) Stearyl betaine 11.7% of the mass

Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified dimethylsilicone is used (obtained by carrying out a hydrosilization reaction between silicone oil and a hydrocarbon compound), which is an agent for breaking a liquid film in which X in the XY structure is formed from a dimethylsilicon chain consisting of -Si (CH ₃ ) ₂ O-, Y is formed from a POP chain consisting of - (C ₃ H ₆ O) -, the final group from the POP chain represents a methyl group (CH ₃ ), the modification ratio is 10%, the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene (POA) added is 10, and the weighted average molecular weight is 4340.

The spreading coefficient of a polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified dimethyl silicone, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film, is 26.9 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, its surface tension is 21.5 mN / m, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 1.6 mN / m, and its solubility in water is 0.0002 g.

{0260}

(Example 7)

An agent for processing fibers for use in Example 7 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components and mixing ratios are used as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 7 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 .

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (the agent for the destruction of the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester) in the fiber treatment agent of Example 7 is adjusted to 1.03, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.45% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride
(COCONARD MT, manufactured by Kao Corporation) 20.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 19.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 15.6% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 23.3% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 11.7% of the mass

A caprylic / capric triglyceride (COCONARD MT, manufactured by Kao Corporation) is used, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film in which Z in the ZY structure represents * -O-CH (CH ₂ O- *) ₂ (* represents the binding part) , Y is formed from a C ₈ H ₁₅ O— or C ₁₀ H ₁₉ O— hydrocarbon chain, the fatty acid composition consists of 82% caprylic acid and 18% capric acid, and the weight average molecular weight is 550.

The spreading coefficient of caprylic / capric triglyceride, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 8.8 mN / m, its surface tension is 28.9 mN / m, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 12.3 mN / m and its solubility in water is less than 0.0001 g.

{0261}

(Example 8)

An agent for treating fibers for use in Example 8 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components and mixing ratios are used as described below, and a nonwoven fabric sample of Example 8 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 .

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (the agent for the destruction of the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester) in the fiber treatment agent of Example 8 is adjusted to 1.03, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treating agent with respect to the weight is adjusted to 0.46% by weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polypropylene glycol
(DEFOAMER No. 1, manufactured by Kao Corporation) 20.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 19.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 15.6% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 23.3% (iii) Stearyl betaine 11.7% of the mass

Polypropylene glycol (DEFOAMER No. 1, manufactured by Kao Corporation) is used, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film in which X in the X-Y structure is formed from a POP chain, the number of moles of polyoxyalkylene (POA) added is 52, and the weight average molecular weight is 3000.

The spreading coefficient of polypropylene glycol, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 16.3 mN / m, its surface tension is 32.7 mN / m, its tension at the interface with the liquid, having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 1.0 mN / m, and its solubility in water is less than 0.0001 g.

{0262}

(Example 9)

A sample of the nonwoven fabric of Example 9 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that component (B): polyoxyethylene (POE) (number of moles added: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester was adjusted to 10.0 % of the mass instead of 10.0% of the mass of the component (A) used in Example 2, and the glued amount (OPU) of the agent for processing fibers in relation to the mass is adjusted to 0.49% of the mass.

{0263}

(Example 10)

An agent for processing fibers for use in Example 10 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components and mixing ratios are used as described below, and a sample of nonwoven fabric of Example 10 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 .

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (the agent for the destruction of the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester) in the fiber treatment agent of Example 10 is adjusted to 0.96, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.43% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Polyoxyethylene (POE) Modified Dimethyl Silicone
(KF-6015, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 20.0% of the mass Component (C): Alkylhydroxysulfobetaine Acid 5.0% of the mass Anionic Surfactant
phosphoric acid ester type: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 20.8% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 16.7% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 25.0% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 12.5% of the mass

{0264}

(Example 11)

The fiber treatment agent for use in Example 7 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the components and mixing ratios are used as described below, and the non-woven fabric sample of Example 11 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 .

The ratio of the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film to the anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester (the agent for the destruction of the liquid film / anionic surfactant type phosphoric acid ester) in the fiber treatment agent of Example 11 is adjusted to 1.03, except in addition, the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.43% by weight relative to the weight.

Component (T): agent for the destruction of the liquid film Liquid isoparaffin
(Luvitol Lite, manufactured by BASF Japan) 20.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 19.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 15.6% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 23.3% (iii) Stearyl betaine 11.7% of the mass

Use liquid isoparaffin, which is an agent for breaking a liquid film (Luvitol Lite, manufactured by BASF Japan), having a weight average molecular weight of 450.

The spreading coefficient of liquid isoparaffin, which is an agent for destroying a liquid film, for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 14.5 mN / m, its surface tension is 27.0 mN / m, its tension at the interface with the liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 8.5 mN / m and its solubility in water is less than 0.0001 g.

{0265}

(Example 12)

A sample of the nonwoven fabric of Example 12 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 10 g of ditridecyl sulfosuccinate is introduced as component (A), and the bonded amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0 with respect to the weight , 42% of the mass. This time, components (B) and (C) are not introduced into it.

{0266}

(Example 13)

A sample of the nonwoven fabric of Example 13 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 9, except that components (A) and (C) were not added to it, 10 g POE (number of moles added: 25) -modified polyhydric alcohol ester and fatty acid is introduced into it as component (B), and the adhered amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.46% by weight relative to the weight.

{0267}

(Example 14)

A sample of the nonwoven fabric of Example 14 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 5 g of dioctyl sulfosuccinate was introduced as component (A), 5 g of POE (number of moles added: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid is introduced into it as component (B), component (C) is not introduced into it, and the glued amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.41% by weight relative to the weight.

{0268}

(Example 15)

A sample of the nonwoven fabric of Example 15 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that component (A) is not introduced into it, 5 g of POE (number of moles added: 60) of the modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester is introduced into him as a component (B), 5 g of alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid is introduced into it as a component (C), and the glued amount (OPU) of the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.40% by weight with respect to the mass.

{0269}

(Example 16)

A sample of the nonwoven material of Example 16 is prepared in the same manner as in Example 5, except that components other than the agent for breaking the liquid film are used, as described below. The ratio of the content of the agent for destroying the liquid film to the anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester (the agent for destroying the liquid film / anionic surfactant such as ester of phosphoric acid) in the fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 1.11, and the adhesive amount (OPU) agent for processing fibers in relation to the mass is adjusted to 0.45% of the mass.

Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 18.0% of the mass Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 5.0% of the mass Component (B): POE (number of moles added: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol
fatty acid ester 5.0% of the mass Component (C): Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid 5.0% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 14.5% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 21.6% (iii) Stearyl betaine 10.9% of the mass

{0270}

(Comparative example 1)

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an agent for splitting the surface of the liquid was not introduced into it, a fiber treatment agent was used, which was brought to the next further mixing ratio, and an adhesive amount ( OPU) agent for processing fibers in relation to the mass is adjusted to 0.46% of the mass.

Component (A): Dialkyl sulfosuccinate 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 25.0% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 20.0% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 30.0% (iii) Stearyl betaine 15.0% of the mass

{0271}

(Comparative example 2)

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 2 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an agent for splitting the surface of the liquid was not introduced into it, a fiber treatment agent was used, which was brought to the next further mixing ratio, and an adhesive amount ( OPU) agent for processing fibers in relation to the mass is adjusted to 0.42% of the mass.

Component (B): POE (number of moles added: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol
fatty acid ester 10.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 25.0% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 20.0% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 30.0% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 15.0% of the mass

{0272}

(Comparative example 3)

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 3 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that an agent for splitting the liquid surface was not introduced into it, a fiber treatment agent was used, which was brought to the next mixing fraction, and an adhesive amount ( OPU) agent for processing fibers in relation to the mass is adjusted to 0.44% of the mass.

Component (C): Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid 5.0% of the mass Anionic phosphoric acid ester surfactant: Potassium salt of an alkyl ester of phosphoric acid 26.4% of the mass Other components: (i) Water Soluble Polyoxyethylene (POE) Polyoxypropylene (POP) -modified silicone 21.1% of the mass (ii) Polyoxyethylene (POE) alkylamide 31.7% of the mass (iii) Stearyl betaine 15.8% of the mass

{0273}

(Comparative example 4)

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 4 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 10% by weight of dimethyl silicone oil (KF-96A-100cs, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) without modification with hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene groups , hydroxy groups or the like, are blended as a component of a fiber treatment agent instead of a liquid film breaking agent, and an adhered amount (OPU) of fiber treatment agent is adjusted to 0.42% by weight with respect to the weight.

The spreading coefficient of dimethyl silicone oil for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m is 2.4 mN / m, its surface tension is 21.0 mN / m, its tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, is 26.6 mN / m and its solubility in water is 0.0001 g.

{0274}

(Comparative example 5)

A nonwoven sample in Comparative Example 5 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that 20% by weight of dimethyl silicone oil (KF-96A-100cs, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was mixed as an agent component for processing fibers instead of an agent for destroying a liquid film, and an adhered amount (OPU) of an agent for treating fibers with respect to the mass is brought to 0.41% by mass.

{0275}

(Reference example)

A nonwoven sample in the Reference Example was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 20% by weight of polyoxyethylene (POE) -modified dimethyl silicone (KF-6015, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was mixed in 1, no components (A) - (C) are introduced into it, for a mixed amount of an anionic surfactant such as phosphoric acid ester, and other components (i) - (iii) are prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, use the agent for processing fibers prepared in the same way zom, and the proportion of the content (OPU) of the agent for processing fibers in relation to the mass is adjusted to 0.43% of the mass.

{0276}

(Contact Angle Measurement)

Based on the “method of measuring the contact angle” discussed above, fibers are selected from the upper part of the convex part and from the flat surface on the back side of its surface, in the sample obtained in each Example and in each Comparative Example, and the contact angle with water for the fibers is measured. Contact angles are measured in two different places on one fiber taken from it. The contact angles for N = 5 fibers are measured with an accuracy of one decimal place, and the value (rounded to the first decimal place) obtained by averaging the measured values in ten places as a whole is taken as the contact angle.

{0277}

(Grade)

The evaluation described below is carried out using a sanitary napkin for evaluation, which is prepared by removing the top sheet from the sanitary napkin (trade name “LAURIER Hada Kirei Guard, use during the day, without wings”, made in 2015) as one example of an absorbent products, and laminating instead each sample of nonwoven material from Examples and Comparative Examples, and fixing their periphery.

{0278}

(The amount of residual liquid in the top sheet (sample non-woven material for research))

On the surface of each sanitary napkin for evaluation, an acrylic plate is packaged having an opening for passing liquid with an inner diameter of 1 cm, and a predetermined load of 100 Pa is applied to the napkin. Under such a load, 6 g of defibrinated horse blood (prepared by adjusting the defibrinated horse blood produced by NIPPON BIO-RESEARCH LABORATORIES INC. To 8.0 cP) is poured onto it through the fluid passage in the acrylic plate. In addition, the horse blood used is conditioned using a TVB-10 Viscometer, manufactured by Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd., at 30 rpm. If horse blood is able to stand up, a part with a high viscosity (red blood cells or something like that) precipitates, and a part with a low viscosity (plasma) remains as a supernatant. The mixing ratio of the parts is adjusted to obtain a viscosity of 8.0 cP. 60 seconds after all 6.0 g of defibrinated horse blood was poured onto it, the acrylic plate was removed from it. Then, the mass (W2) of the sample of the nonwoven fabric for research is measured, the difference (W2-W1) is calculated with the mass (W1) of the sample for the study of the nonwoven fabric, the mass of which is measured in advance, before horse blood is poured onto it. The operation described above is carried out 3 times, and the average value for 3 operations is taken as the amount of residual liquid (mg). The amount of residual fluid serves as an indicator of the extent to which the user's skin is wetted, and when the amount of residual fluid is lower, better results are obtained.

{0279}

(The amount of reverse wetting of the top sheet)

On the surface of each sanitary napkin for evaluation, an acrylic plate having an opening for passage of liquid with an inner diameter of 1 cm is packaged, and a predetermined load of 100 Pa is applied to the napkin. With such a load, a total of 9.0 g of defibrinated horse blood is poured onto it, 3.0 g every 3 minutes, through an opening for the passage of fluid in an acrylic plate. The acrylic plate is removed 300 seconds after the horse blood is poured onto it, and then the cosmetic paper is packaged on the surface of the nonwoven material, then some mass is packaged on the cosmetic paper, and a load of 2000 Pa is applied to the pad. The mass and cosmetic paper are removed 5 seconds after the mass is applied, the cosmetic paper mass (W4) is measured, and the difference (W4-W3) with the previously measured cosmetic paper mass (W3) is calculated before packaging the cosmetic paper on the surface of the nonwoven material. The described operation is carried out 3 times, and the average value from 3 operations is taken as the value of the liquid back flow (also referred to as the value of the back wetting) (mg), and the smaller the value of the back wetting, the more difficult it is to carry out the liquid back and the higher the rating is proposed for this.

{0280}

(The magnitude of the surface fluid flow for the top sheet)

The top sheet is removed from the Kao Corporation commercially available sanitary napkin (trade name “LAURIER Hada Kirei Guard, use during the day, without wings”, manufactured in 2015) by curing the adhesive using cold spraying, and instead hydrophilic non-woven material, in each Example and in each Comparative example, and its periphery is fixed to obtain a sanitary towel for evaluations. Each nonwoven material is located with the reverse side of the reverse surface (side of the second surface) facing the absorbent mass.

As a tool for research, use a tool containing a site for placement, in which the surface for placing the gasket is inclined 45 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. The gasket is placed in a node for placement in such a way that the top sheet is directed upwards. As a research fluid, colored deionized water is added dropwise to the gasket at a speed of 1 g / 10 sec. Measure the distance from the spot, which corresponds to the first wetting of the nonwoven material, to the spot in the form of which the study fluid is first absorbed into the absorbent mass. The operation described above is carried out 3 times, and the average value for 3 measured values is taken as the distance of the fluid flow (mm). The fluid flow distance serves as an indicator of the amount at which the fluid is not absorbed into the sanitary towel and is in contact with the skin of the user, and the shorter the fluid flow distance, the higher the score.

{0281}

The compositions in the Examples and Comparative Examples described above, and the results of each measurement and each evaluation relative to the Examples and Comparative Examples are shown in the following Tables 1-3.

{0282}

Table 1

Unit Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Fiber Processing Agent Component POE Modified
silicone POE Modified
silicone POE Modified
silicone Physical property of component (T) Add Moles POA mole 3 3 3 Blended Amount % mass ten 20 thirty The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 28.8 28.8 28.8 Surface tension mn / m 21.0 21.0 21.0 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 0.2 0.2 0.2 Solubility in water <0.0001 g <0.0001 g <0.0001 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 22.2 19,4 16.7 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass 10.0 10.0 10.0 Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - - Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - - - Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 17.8 15.6 13.3 POE alkylamide % mass 26.7 23.3 20,0 Stearyl betaine % mass 13.3 11.7 10.0 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 0.45 1,03 1.80 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.45 0.43 0.44 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 82,2 85,2 89.6 Reverse surface P2 degree 77.1 78.3 80.3 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 5.1 6.9 9.3 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 110 92 82 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 811 935 992 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 31,2 40.3 51.0

Table 1 (continued-1)

Unit Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Fiber Processing Agent Component POE modified silicone POP modified silicone POP modified silicone Physical property of component (T) Add Moles POA mole 3 3 ten Blended Amount % mass 40 20 20 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 28.8 25,4 26.9 Surface tension mn / m 21.0 21.0 21.5 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 0.2 3.6 1,6 Solubility in water <0.0001 g <0.0001 g 0,0002 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 13.9 19,4 19,4 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass 10.0 10.0 10.0 Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - - Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - - - Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 11.1 15.6 15.6 POE alkylamide % mass 16.7 23.3 23.3 Stearyl betaine % mass 8.3 11.7 11.7 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 2.88 1,03 1,03 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.48 0.41 0.41 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 93.2 86.2 82,2 Reverse surface P2 degree 87.3 80.5 76.1 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 5.9 5.7 6.1 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 50 100 101 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 653 983 956 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 95.0 63.0 36.3

Table 1 (continued-2)

Unit Example 7 Example 8 Example 9 Fiber Processing Agent Component Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride PPG (Mw: 3,000) POE modified silicone Physical property
component (T) Add Moles POA mole - 52 3 Blended Amount % mass 20 20 20 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 8.8 16.3 28.8 Surface tension mn / m 28.9 32,7 21.0 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 12.3 1,0 0.2 Solubility in water <0.0001 g <0.0001 g <0.0001 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 19,4 19,4 19,4 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass 10.0 10.0 - Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - 10.0 Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - - - Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 15.6 15.6 15.6 POE alkylamide % mass 23.3 23.3 23.3 Stearyl betaine % mass 11.7 11.7 11.7 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 1,03 1,03 1,03 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.45 0.46 0.49 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 87.3 73.6 88.2 Reverse surface P2 degree 81.6 72,2 78.5 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 5.7 1.4 9.7 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 115 104 84 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 1139 1110 835 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 64.0 20.7 32.8

“Mw” means molecular weight.

Table 1 (continued-3)

Unit Example 10 Example 11 Fiber Processing Agent Component POE modified silicone Liquid isoparaffin Physical property
component (T) Add Moles POA mole 3 - Blended Amount % mass 20 20 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 28.8 14.5 Surface tension mn / m 21.0 27.0 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 0.2 8.5 Solubility in water <0.0001 g <0.0001 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 20.8 19,4 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass - 10.0 Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass 5,0 - Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 16.7 15.6 POE alkylamide % mass 25.0 23.3 Stearyl betaine % mass 12.5 11.7 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 0.96 1,03 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.43 0.43 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 78.3 88.5 Reverse surface P2 degree 74.1 83,2 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 4.2 5.3 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 106 106 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 1046 986 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 33.5 55.3

{0283}

table 2

Unit Example 12 Example 13 Fiber Processing Agent Component POE-
Modified silicone POE-
Modified silicone Physical property
component (T) Add Moles POA mole 3 3 Blended Amount % mass 20 20 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 28.8 28.8 Surface tension mn / m 21.0 21.0 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 0.2 0.2 Solubility in water <0.0001 g <0.0001 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 19,4 19,4 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass - - Ditridecyl sulfosuccinate % mass ten - Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - POE (moles added: 25) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - ten Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - - Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 15.6 15.6 POE alkylamide % mass 23.3 23.3 Stearyl betaine % mass 11.7 11.7 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 1,03 1,03 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.42 0.46 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 88.2 93.2 Reverse surface P2 degree 82.3 84.5 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 5.9 8.7 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 105 94 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 800 750 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 56.0 95.0

Table 2 (continued)

Unit Example 14 Example 15 Example 16 Fiber Processing Agent Component POE modified silicone POE-
Modified silicone POP modified silicone Physical property of component (T) Add Moles POA mole 3 3 3 Blended Amount % mass 20 20 20 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 28.8 28.8 25,4 Surface tension mn / m 21.0 21.0 21.0 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 0.2 0.2 3.6 Solubility in water <0.0001 g <0.0001 g <0.0001 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 19,4 19,4 18.0 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass five - five Ditridecyl sulfosuccinate % mass - - - Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass five five five POE (moles added: 25) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - - Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - five five Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 15.6 15.6 14.5 POE alkylamide % mass 23.3 23.3 21.6 Stearyl betaine % mass 11.7 11.7 10.9 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 1,03 1,03 1,11 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.41 0.40 0.45 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 86.3 79.3 79.5 Reverse surface P2 degree 79.0 74.6 74,4 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 7.3 4.7 5.1 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 88 105 104 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 912 1030 1010 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 45,2 35,2 36.3

{0284}

Table 3

Unit Comparative Example 1 Reference Example 2 Reference Example 3 Fiber Processing Agent Component - - - Physical property of component (T) Add Moles POA mole - - - Blended Amount % mass 0 0 0 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m - - - Surface tension mn / m - - - Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m - - - Solubility in water - - - Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 25 25 26,4 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass 10.0 - - Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - 10.0 - Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - - 5,0 Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 20,0 20,0 21.1 POE alkylamide % mass 30,0 30,0 31.7 Stearyl betaine % mass 15 15 15.8 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 0.00 0.00 0.00 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.46 0.42 0.44 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 74,2 73,2 67.5 Reverse surface P2 degree 76.3 74.1 69.2 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree -2.1 -0.9 -1.7 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 141 137 135 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 1232 1124 1212 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 24.3 23.3 16.3

Table 3 (continued)

Unit Reference Example 4 Reference Example 5 Reference example Fiber Processing Agent Component Dimethyl silicone Dimethyl silicone POE modified silicone Physical property of component (T) Add Moles POA mole 0 0 3 Blended Amount % mass ten 20 20 The spreading coefficient for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 2,4 2,4 28.8 Surface tension mn / m 21.0 21.0 21.0 Tension at the interface with a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m mn / m 26.6 26.6 0.2 Solubility in water 0.0001 g 0.0001 g <0.0001 g Phosphoric Acid Ester Anionic Surfactant Phosphoric Acid Alkyl ester % mass 22.2 19,4 22.2 Component (A) Dialkyl sulfosuccinate % mass 10.0 10.0 - Component (B) POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester % mass - - - Component (C) Alkylhydroxysulfobetainic acid % mass - - - Other POE, POP-modified water-soluble silicone % mass 17.8 15.6 17.8 POE alkylamide % mass 26.7 23.3 26.7 Stearyl betaine % mass 13.3 11.7 13.3 Component (T) / phosphoric acid alkyl ester component (mass ratio) 0.45 1,03 0.90 Non woven fabric Adhesive amount of fiber treatment agent % mass 0.42 0.41 0.43 Contact angle The upper part P1 of the convex part degree 84.3 91.3 86.2 Reverse surface P2 degree 79.8 85.8 86.9 The difference in contact angles between the upper part and the reverse surface degree 4,5 5.5 -0.7 The amount of residual fluid in the top sheet Case blood amount 6 g mg 138 131 111 Rewet value Case blood amount 9 g mg 1156 1046 1121 The distance of the surface flow of fluid mm 73,2 115.3 50.6

{0285}

As shown in Tables 1-3, in Examples 1-10, the amount of residual liquid in the top sheet and the amount of its reverse wetting are suppressed, satisfying both the characteristics of a small amount of residual liquid and the characteristics of low backflow, in comparison with Comparative examples 1- 3 without agent for destruction of the liquid film. It was found that, in Examples 1-8, the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity is greater compared to Comparative Example 1, and the oil-soluble agent for breaking the liquid film (POE-modified silicone or POP-modified silicone) acts on component (A), making it possible to increase the gradient degree of hydrophilicity. In addition, this characteristic is the same when comparing Examples 9 and 10 with Comparative Examples 2 and 3, which contain component (B) or component (C), respectively. Accordingly, in Examples 1-10, the effect on a liquid film of an agent for breaking a liquid film and the effect of suctioning a liquid of a gradient of hydrophilicity degree are demonstrated by the combination of an agent for breaking a liquid film and any of components (A) to (C), and without a significant increase in fluidity, the characteristic of the amount of residual liquid and the characteristic of the return flow of liquid exceeds the characteristics in Comparative examples 1-3. In addition, the characteristics when component (B) is used, from component (A), component (B) and component (C) are the most excellent, and an increase in the hydrophilicity gradient and an improvement in the characteristics are confirmed. The gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity when component (C) is used is small, but the fluidity characteristic is superior to that when component (A) is used. In contrast, in Comparative Examples 1-3, a fiber treatment agent is used that does not contain a liquid film breaking agent and contains a combination of the main component and any of the components (A) to (C) discussed above, and for this reason, it is impossible to obtain sufficient characteristics, as in the Examples.

In addition, in Examples 1-8, in which an agent for breaking a liquid film having a large spreading coefficient and component (A), the amount of residual liquid and the amount of back wetting are suppressed to satisfy both the characteristics of the small amount of residual liquid and the characteristics low liquid backflow compared to Comparative Example 4, in which dimethylsilicone having a low spreading coefficient and component (A) are used. In addition, in Examples 1-8, the amount of residual liquid is suppressed, and preferably, the value of the rewetting is suppressed, in comparison with Comparative Example 5, in which dimethylsilicon having a low spreading coefficient is brought to 20% of the mass.

In addition to this, in Examples 1-4, 9 and 10, the difference between the contact angles (the upper part P1 of the convex part is the reverse surface P2) is larger, and the amount of residual liquid and the amount of back wetting are suppressed compared to the Reference example, in which an agent for treating fibers that does not contain components (A) to (C), although the same agent is used to break the liquid film. That is, both the characteristic of a small amount of residual liquid and the characteristic of low backflow of liquid are satisfied by the combined action of the agent to destroy the liquid film and the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity.

In addition, in Examples 1-4, respectively, when the amount of the mixed agent for disrupting the liquid film increases, the amount of residual liquid and the amount of back wetting decrease. That is, it is believed that the effect of destruction of the liquid film manifests itself more strongly due to the increase in the amount of agent for the destruction of the liquid film. In addition, from the results of Examples 1-3 and Example 4, it is found that if an oil-soluble agent for breaking a liquid film in which the hydrophilic groups are appropriately controlled is excessively added to them, the fluidity of the liquid on the surface (side of the first surface 1A) is increased, and the addition amounts less than 40% are more preferred. In addition, the oil solubility of a liquid film disruption agent is believed to have an effect on fluidity. However, in Examples 1-10, surface fluidity is preferably suppressed by preferentially controlling the hydrophilic groups of the liquid film disruption agent, as compared with Comparative Examples 4 and 5, in which the fiber treatment agent contains dimethyl silicone having a low spreading coefficient.

In addition, in Example 12, when ditridecyl sulfosuccinate containing a longer alkyl chain is added to it, instead of dialkyl (dioctyl) sulfosuccinate, which is used in other Examples, the hydrophilicity gradients are essentially equivalent to each other, but the hydrophilicity at the top is further weakened, demonstrating the liquid backflow suppression characteristic is better than that in the Comparative Examples.

In addition, it was found that the hydrophilicity on the upper side side further increases and the liquid flow distance is further reduced in Example 9, which uses POE (added moles: 60) -modified ester of polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid, that is, in the case when the hydrophilic POE chain is longer compared to Example 13, which uses POE (added moles: 25) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester.

In Example 14, in which dialkyl (dioctyl) sulfosuccinate and POE are added (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester, 5% each, it is found that the hydrophilicity gradient develops in a manner similar to Examples 2 and 9 in which dialkyl (dioctyl) sulfosuccinate and POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester are individually blended with 10% each, demonstrating better residual liquid suppression and beam nd characteristic reverse fluid flow suppression as compared to Comparative Examples.

In Example 15, in which alkyl hydroxysulfobetaine and POE are added (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester, 5% each, it is found that the hydrophilicity gradient develops in a manner similar to Examples 9 and 10, in which alkyl hydroxy sulfobetaine and POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid ester are individually blended 10% each, demonstrating the best characteristic of suppressing residual liquid and the best character eristiku suppressing reverse fluid flow, as compared with Comparative Examples.

In Example 16, in which alkyl dialkyl (dioctyl) sulfosuccinate, hydroxysulfobetaine and POE (added moles: 60) are added, a modified ester of polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, 5% each, it is found that the gradient of the degree of hydrophilicity develops in a manner similar to Examples 2 , 9 and 10, in which the alkyl dialkyl (dioctyl) sulfosuccinate, hydroxysulfobetaine and POE (added moles: 60) -modified polyhydric alcohol and fatty acid esters are blended individually, each showing the best a residual fluid suppression characteristic; and a better fluid return suppression characteristic, compared with Comparative Examples.

{0286}

After describing the present invention as being related to the present embodiments, aspects and Examples, the authors consider that the present invention is not limited to any details of the description, unless otherwise indicated, but rather should be construed broadly in the spirit and within the scope of given in the attached claims.

{0287}

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-244863, filed in Japan on December 16, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Character Description

{0288}

1 Fibers

2 liquid film

3 Agent for destruction of the liquid film

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 100, 101, 102, 103 Non-woven fabric

Claims (66)

1. A nonwoven material to which a fiber treatment agent is adhered, the fiber treatment agent comprising: an agent for destroying a liquid film containing one or many compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for a liquid having surface tension of 50 mN / m; and component (C), which is an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group. 2. A nonwoven material to which a fiber treatment agent is adhered, the fiber treatment agent comprising: an agent for destroying a liquid film containing one or many compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a weighted average molecular weight of 10,000 or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient of more than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for liquid a bone having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less; and component (A), which is an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

, where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium. 3. A nonwoven material to which a fiber treatment agent is adhered, wherein the fiber treatment agent comprises: an agent for destroying a liquid film containing one or many compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for a liquid having surface tension of 50 mN / m; and component (B), which is a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, however, the nonwoven material comprises a first side of the surface and a second side of the surface located on the side opposite to it, and on the second side of the surface are fibers having a contact angle smaller than the contact angle of the fibers of the first side of the surface. 4. Non-woven material containing: any one or multiple compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient more than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m ; and component (C), which is an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group. 5. Non-woven material containing: any one or many compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less and a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for liquid having a surface tension of 50 N / m, and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less; and component (A), which is an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

, where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium. 6. Non-woven material containing: any one or multiple compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient more than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m ; and component (B), which is a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, however, the nonwoven material comprises a first side of the surface and a second side of the surface located on the side opposite to it, and on the second side of the surface are fibers having a contact angle smaller than the contact angle of the fibers of the first side of the surface. 7. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, where the aforementioned one or many compounds or agent for the destruction of the liquid film contains any one or many compounds selected from a compound containing at least one kind of structure selected from the group including the following structures X, XY and YXY and a compound having at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of the following structures Z, ZY and YZY, where structure X denotes a siloxane chain having a structure in which any of the basic structures> C (A) - (C denotes a carbon atom, in addition, <,> and -, each denotes a chemical bond, the same will be dealt with later) , -C (A) ₂ -, -C (A) (B) -,> C (A) -C (R ¹ ) <,> C (R ¹ ) -, -C (R ¹ ) (R ² ) -, -C (R ¹ ) ₂ -,> C <, -Si (R ¹ ) ₂ O- and -Si (R ¹ ) (R ² ) O- is repeated or two or more of their species are combined; or a mixed chain of them; structure X contains at the end of structure X a hydrogen atom or at least one type of group selected from the group consisting of —C (A) ₃ , —C (A) ₂ B, —C (A) (B) _2, - C (A) ₂ -C (R ¹ ) ₃ , -C (R ¹ ) ₂ A, -C (R ¹ ) ₃ , -OSi (R ¹ ) ₃ , -OSi (R ¹ ) ₂ (R ² ), -Si (R ¹ ) ₃ and -Si (R ¹ ) ₂ (R ² ); where R ¹ and R ² each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group or a halogen atom; A and B each independently represent a substituent containing an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom; when there are many R ¹ , R ² , A and B for each structure X, they may be the same or different; where Y represents a hydrophilic group having hydrophilicity, the group contains an atom selected from a hydrogen atom, a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a phosphorus atom or a sulfur atom; and when there are many Ys, they can be the same or different; where structure Z denotes a hydrocarbon chain having a structure in which any of the basic structures> C (A) - (C: carbon atom), -C (A) ₂ -, -C (A) (B) -,> C (A) -C (R ³ ) <,> C (R ³ ) -, -C (R ³ ) (R ⁴ ) -, -C (R ³ ) ₂ - and> C <or two or more of their species are combined ; structure Z has at its one end a hydrogen atom or at least one type of group selected from the group consisting of —C (A) ₃ , —C (A) ₂ B, —C (A) (B) _2, - C (A) ₂ —C (R ³ ) ₃ , —C (R ³ ) ₂ A and —C (R ³ ) ₃ ; and where R ³ and R ⁴ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group, an aralkyl group, or a hydrocarbon group in combination with them, or a fluorine atom; A and B each independently represent a substituent containing an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom. 8. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, where the aforementioned one or many compounds or agent for the destruction of the liquid film contains a compound in which the main chain contains a siloxane chain. 9. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, where the aforementioned one or many compounds or agent for the destruction of the liquid film contain polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone. 10. The nonwoven fabric of claim 9, wherein the amount of added moles of polyoxyalkylene groups of the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone is 3 or more and 10 or less. 11. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, where the distance between the fibers in the nonwoven material is 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less. 12. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, where the fineness of the fibers in the nonwoven fabric is 0.5 dtex or more and 3.3 dtex or less. 13. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, containing the first side of the surface and the second side of the surface located on the side opposite to it; and the contact angle for the fibers of the first side of the surface is 70 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less. 14. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, having a first side of the surface and a second side of the surface located on the side opposite to it, where the difference in contact angles between the fibers of the first side of the surface and the fibers of the second side of the surface is 2 degrees or more and 65 degrees or less. 15. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, having a first side of the surface and a second side of the surface located on the side opposite to it, and a concave part of the first side of the surface, where the fibers located on the second side of the surface have a smaller contact angle than the contact angle for the fibers of the upper part of the concave part . 16. Non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-15, containing the first side of the surface and the second side of the surface located on the side opposite to it, and the concave part of the first side of the surface, where the difference in contact angles between the fibers of the upper part of the concave part and the fibers of the second side of the surface is 3 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less. 17. An absorbent product that uses a non-woven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-16. 18. Absorbent product in which the nonwoven material according to any one of paragraphs. 1-16 is used as the top sheet. 19. The absorbent article of claim 17 or 18, wherein the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin. 20. The use of an agent for treating fibers containing an agent for destroying a liquid film and any one or more components selected from component (A), component (B) and component (C), as described below, to give the fibers the ability to destroy the liquid film, where the content of the agent for the destruction of the liquid film is 50% of the mass. or less: component (A), which is an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1), component (B), which is a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, component (C), which is an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group

, where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M, or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, or ammonium. 21. The use according to p. 20 to obtain fibers with the characteristics of the destruction of the liquid film. 22. Agent for processing fibers, containing: any one or multiple compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient more than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m ; and component (C) representing an amphoteric surfactant containing a hydroxysulfobetaine group, in which the content of the aforementioned one or multiple compounds is 50% of the mass. or less. 23. An agent for processing fibers, containing: any one or many compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less and a compound having a spreading coefficient greater than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for liquid having a surface tension of 50 N / m, and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or less; and component (A), which is an anionic surfactant represented by the following Formula (S1)

, where Z is a trivalent group selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched alkyl chain containing 1 or more and 12 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, an amine group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group and a double bond; R ⁷ and R ⁸ each independently represent a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 or more and 16 or less carbon atoms, which may include an ester group, an amide group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an ether group or a double bond; and X is —SO ₃ M, —OSO ₃ M or —COOM, where M is H, Na, K, Mg, Ca or ammonium, in which the content of the aforementioned one or multiple compounds is 50% of the mass. or less. 24. An agent for processing fibers, containing: any one or multiple compounds selected from a compound having a spreading coefficient of 15 mN / m or more for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m and a solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less, and a compound having a spreading coefficient more than 0 mN / m for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m, solubility in water of 0 g or more and 0.025 g or less and a tension at the interface of 20 mN / m or less for a liquid having a surface tension of 50 mN / m ; and component (B), which is a polyoxyalkylene-modified ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid, in which the content of said one or multiple compounds is 15% of the mass. or more, up to 40% of the mass. 25. Agent for processing fibers according to any one of paragraphs. 20-24, where the aforementioned one or many compounds or agent for the destruction of the liquid film contains a compound in which the main chain contains a siloxane chain. 26. Agent for processing fibers according to any one of paragraphs. 20-25, where the aforementioned one or many compounds or agent for the destruction of the liquid film contain polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone. 27. The agent for processing fibers according to claim 26, where the number of added moles of polyoxyalkylene groups of polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone is 3 or more and 10 or less.

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