Rayon spunlace treatment agent, composition containing rayon spunlace treatment agent, rayon spunlace first treatment agent, composition containing rayon spunlace first treatment agent, and method for manufacturing spunlace nonwoven fabric

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a rayon spunlace treatment agent that is configured to reduce worsening of water dropping / bubbling in a spunlace process in which fibers onto which a rayon spunlace treatment agent has been applied are used, even if the drying temperature in a fiber drying step, which is conducted before a carding step, is high. A rayon spunlace treatment agent according to the present invention contains: a non-ionic surfactant (X) containing a specific ether monoester derivative (A) and a specific ether diester derivative (B); and a specific fatty acid (D) or polyalcohol (E).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a rayon spunlace treatment agent, a composition containing the rayon spunlace treatment agent, a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, a composition containing the first component for rayon spunlace treatment, and a method for producing a spunlace nonwoven fabric, which are capable of suppressing deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the rayon spunlace treatment agent.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As raw material fibers used for nonwoven fabrics, natural fibers such as cotton, regenerated fibers such as rayon, and synthetic resins such as polyolefins are known. Among these, rayon, which is a regenerated fiber produced from raw materials such as pulp or cotton linters, has attracted attention due to its excellent biodegradability and its superior hygroscopicity and water absorbency. When manufacturing spunlace nonwoven fabrics using rayon, in order to impart various properties such as card passability, a rayon spunlace treatment agent containing a surfactant and other components may be applied to the surface of the raw material fibers.

[0003] Rayon spunlace treatment agents disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a short fiber treatment agent containing a fatty acid derivative having a structure in which an alkylene oxide is added to a fatty acid, at least one selected from fatty acids and fats and oils, and a polyhydric alcohol. Patent Document 2 discloses a fiber treatment agent for spunlace containing a polyoxyalkylene derivative obtained by adding ethylene oxide to a fatty acid, and a functionalizing agent that is a predetermined fatty acid and / or a fat or oil.CITATION LISTPATENT LITERATURE

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6533020 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6132966 SUMMARY OF INVENTIONTECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0005] However, conventional rayon spunlace treatment agents have the problem that when fibers treated with such a rayon spunlace treatment agent are passed through the spunlace process, drop-induced foaming of the water used in the spunlace process is likely to occur (that is, the water used for hydroentanglement tends to foam due to contamination with the treatment agent that has detached from the fibers). In particular, when the drying temperature in the fiber drying process performed before the carding process is high, the drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process becomes more pronounced.SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

[0006] As a result of research conducted to solve the above problem, the inventor of the present application has found that a rayon spunlace treatment agent in which a predetermined ether monoester derivative (A) and a predetermined ether diester derivative (B) are used in combination is preferable.

[0007] The aspects for solving the above problem are described below.

[0008] According to the first aspect, a rayon spunlace treatment agent is characterized by containing a nonionic surfactant (X), which includes an ether monoester derivative (A) and an ether diester derivative (B), and a fatty acid (D). The ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less. The ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded. The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.

[0009] According to the second aspect, a rayon spunlace treatment agent is characterized by containing a nonionic surfactant (X), which includes an ether monoester derivative (A) and an ether diester derivative (B), and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters. The ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less. The ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded.

[0010] According to the third aspect, in the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first or second aspect, when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, and the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less.

[0011] According to the fourth aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first aspect further contains an anionic surfactant (C).

[0012] According to the fifth aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first aspect further contains an anionic surfactant (C), and when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), and the anionic surfactant (C) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, and the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less.

[0013] According to the sixth aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first aspect further contains an anionic surfactant (C), and when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), and the fatty acid (D) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, and the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less.

[0014] According to the seventh aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first aspect further contains an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, and when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), and the polyhydric alcohol (E) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, and the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less.

[0015] According to the eighth aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first, second, or fourth aspect further contains a lubricant (F). The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

[0016] According to the ninth aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first aspect further contains an anionic surfactant (C), a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, and a lubricant (F), and when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, and the lubricant (F) is contained in an amount of 1 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less. The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

[0017] According to the tenth aspect, the rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the first aspect is provided as a set comprising a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, which contains the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the fatty acid (D), and optionally a lubricant (F), and a second component for rayon spunlace treatment, which contains at least one selected from an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters. The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

[0018] According to the eleventh aspect, a composition containing a rayon spunlace treatment agent contains the rayon spunlace treatment agent according to any one of the first to tenth aspects and a solvent (S), and when the sum of the contents of the rayon spunlace treatment agent and the solvent (S) in the composition is taken as 100 parts by mass, the rayon spunlace treatment agent is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 99.99 parts by mass or less, and the solvent (S) is contained in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less. The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.

[0019] According to the twelfth aspect, in the composition containing a rayon spunlace treatment agent described in the eleventh aspect, the solvent (S) is water.

[0020] According to the thirteenth aspect, a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, which is used in combination with either a second component for rayon spunlace treatment containing at least one selected from an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, or a composition containing the second component and a solvent (S), contains an ether monoester derivative (A), an ether diester derivative (B), a fatty acid (D), and optionally a lubricant (F). The ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less. The ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded. The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils. The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone. The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.

[0021] According to the fourteenth aspect, a composition containing a first component for rayon spunlace treatment is characterized by containing the first component for rayon spunlace treatment described in the thirteenth aspect and a solvent (S). The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.

[0022] According to the fifteenth aspect, a method for producing a spunlace nonwoven fabric is characterized by including the following three steps. The first step is attaching the rayon spunlace treatment agent according to any one of the first to tenth aspects to rayon. The second step is subjecting the rayon obtained in the first step to a carding process to produce a web. The third step is entangling the web obtained in the second step with a water flow to obtain a spunlace nonwoven fabric.ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0023] The present invention succeeds in suppressing deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the rayon spunlace treatment agent, even when the drying temperature in the fiber drying process performed before the carding process is high.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS<First embodiment>

[0024] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of a rayon spunlace treatment agent according to the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as the treatment agent) will be described. In the present embodiment, the treatment agent contains a nonionic surfactant (X), which includes a predetermined ether monoester derivative (A) and a predetermined ether diester derivative (B).(Nonionic surfactant (X))

[0025] The nonionic surfactant (X) used in the treatment agent of the present embodiment contains the predetermined ether monoester derivative (A) and the predetermined ether diester derivative (B) as essential components. The combined use of the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B), as described later, makes it possible to suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent, even when the drying temperature in the fiber drying process performed before the carding process is high.(Ether monoester derivative (A))

[0026] The ether monoester derivative (A) used in the present embodiment is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less. The ether monoester derivative (A) has a monoester structure in which a fatty acid is ester-bonded to one terminal end of a polyoxyalkylene chain obtained by polymerizing an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms.

[0027] Any known fatty acid may be appropriately used as a raw material for the ether monoester derivative (A). The fatty acid may be either a saturated fatty acid or an unsaturated fatty acid, and it may be linear or may have a branched chain structure.

[0028] Specific examples of the fatty acid include (1) fatty acids having a monovalent linear alkyl group, such as dodecanoic acid (lauric acid), tetradecanoic acid (myristic acid), hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid), octadecanoic acid (stearic acid), eicosanoic acid (arachidic acid), docosanoic acid (behenic acid), and tetracosanoic acid, (2) fatty acids having a monovalent branched chain structure, such as isododecanoic acid, isotridecanoic acid, isotetradecanoic acid, isohexadecanoic acid, and isooctadecanoic acid, (3) fatty acids having a monovalent linear alkenyl group, such as myristoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, vaccenic acid, eicosenoic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid, (4) hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as ricinoleic acid, and (5) naturally derived fatty acids, such as castor oil fatty acid, sesame oil fatty acid, tall oil fatty acid, soybean oil fatty acid, rapeseed oil fatty acid, palm oil fatty acid, palm kernel fatty acid, and coconut oil fatty acid.

[0029] Specific examples of the alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms, which serves as a raw material for the ether monoester derivative (A), include ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. The number of moles of the alkylene oxide to be added is 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, and preferably 5 mol or more and 25 mol or less. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits. The number of moles of the alkylene oxide added refers to the number of moles of the alkylene oxide relative to 1 mol of the compound to which the alkylene oxide is to be added in the charged raw materials. A single type of the alkylene oxide may be used alone or two types may be used in an appropriate combination. When two types of alkylene oxides are used, their addition mode may be block addition, random addition, or a combination of block and random additions, and is not particularly limited.

[0030] Specific examples of the ether monoester derivative (A) include a compound obtained by adding 10 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, a compound obtained by adding 5 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, a compound obtained by adding 20 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid, a compound obtained by adding 13 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid, a compound obtained by adding 10 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid, a compound obtained by adding 5 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid, a compound obtained by adding 10 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of palmitic acid, a compound obtained by adding 10 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of lauric acid, a compound obtained by adding 10 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of coconut fatty acid, a compound obtained by randomly adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, a compound obtained by randomly adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, a compound obtained by sequentially adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and then 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, and a compound obtained by sequentially adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and then 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid.

[0031] A single type of the ether monoester derivative (A) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination.(Ether diester derivative (B))

[0032] The ether diester derivative (B) used in the present embodiment is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded. The ether diester derivative (B) has a diester structure in which a fatty acid is ester-bonded to each of both terminal ends of a polyoxyalkylene chain obtained by polymerizing an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms. The two fatty acids constituting the ether diester derivative (B) may be the same or different.

[0033] Specific examples of the fatty acid used as a raw material for the ether diester derivative (B) are the same as those described for the ether monoester derivative (A).

[0034] Specific examples of the alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms used as a raw material for the ether diester derivative (B) are the same as those described for the ether monoester derivative (A).

[0035] Specific examples of the ether diester derivative (B) include a compound obtained by adding 14 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of oleic acid; a compound obtained by adding 23 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid; a compound obtained by adding 9 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid; a compound obtained by adding 5 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid; a compound obtained by adding 9 mol of an alkylene oxide to 1 mol of lauric acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of lauric acid; a compound obtained by randomly adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid; a compound obtained by randomly adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid; a compound obtained by sequentially adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and then 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid; and a compound obtained by sequentially adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and then 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid.

[0036] A single type of the ether diester derivative (B) may be used alone or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination.

[0037] In the treatment agent, the lower limit of the content of the ether monoester derivative (A) is preferably 5% by mass or more, and more preferably 10% by mass or more. A content of 5% by mass or more of the ether monoester derivative (A) can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The upper limit of the content of the ether monoester derivative (A) is preferably 95% by mass or less, and more preferably 90% by mass or less. A content of 95% by mass or less of the ether monoester derivative (A) can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0038] In the treatment agent, the lower limit of the content of the ether diester derivative (B) is preferably 5% by mass or more, and more preferably 10% by mass or more. A content of 5% by mass or more of the ether diester derivative (B) can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The upper limit of the content of the ether diester derivative (B) is preferably 95% by mass or less, and more preferably 90% by mass or less. A content of 95% by mass or less of the ether diester derivative (B) can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0039] When the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B) in the treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, and that the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less. Maintaining the contents within such a range can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.(Other nonionic surfactants)

[0040] The treatment agent of the present embodiment may also contain, as the nonionic surfactant (X), one or more nonionic surfactants other than the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B).

[0041] As such other nonionic surfactants, known nonionic surfactants may be appropriately used. Specific examples of such other nonionic surfactants include (1) ether type nonionic surfactants, including compounds obtained by adding an alkylene oxide having two or more and four or less carbon atoms to an organic acid, an organic alcohol, an organic amine, and / or an organic amide, such as polyoxyethylene octyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether methyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene lauryl ether, polyoxypropylene lauryl ether methyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxybutylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene nonyl ether, polyoxypropylene nonyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene octyl ether, ethylene oxide adducts of 2-hexylhexanol, polyoxyethylene 2-ethyl-1-hexyl ether, polyoxyethylene isononyl ether, polyoxyethylene dodecyl ether, compounds obtained by adding ethylene oxide to a secondary dodecyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether, polyoxyalkylene tetradecyl ethers, polyoxyethylene laurylamino ether, polyoxyethylene lauramide ether, and polyoxyalkylene tristyrenated phenyl ethers, (2) polyoxyalkylene polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester type nonionic surfactants, such as polyoxyalkylene sorbitan trioleates, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan monostearates, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan tristearates, polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil trioctanates, and maleic acid esters, stearic acid esters, or oleic acid esters of polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil, (3) alkylamide type nonionic surfactants, such as stearic acid diethanolamide and diethanolamine monolauramide, (4) polyoxyalkylene fatty acid amide type nonionic surfactants, such as polyoxyethylene diethanolamine monooleylamide, polyoxyethylene laurylamine, and polyoxyethylene beef tallow amine, and (5) ether-ester compounds, such as a copolymer of polyoxyethylene, dimethyl phthalate, and lauryl alcohol.

[0042] A single type of the nonionic surfactant may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination.(Anionic surfactant (C))

[0043] The treatment agent of the present embodiment may further contain an anionic surfactant (C). Inclusion of the anionic surfactant (C) in the treatment agent can enhance the emulsion stability of a diluted liquid obtained by diluting the treatment agent with a solvent.

[0044] As the anionic surfactant (C), any known anionic surfactant may be appropriately used employed. Specific examples of the anionic surfactant (C) include (1) phosphate ester salts of aliphatic alcohols, such as lauryl phosphate ester salts, cetyl phosphate ester salts, isocetyl phosphate ester salts, octyl phosphate ester salts, oleyl phosphate ester salts, and stearyl phosphate ester salts, (2) phosphate ester salts of a product obtained by adding at least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to an aliphatic alcohol, such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate ester salts, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate ester salts, and polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate ester salts, (3) aliphatic sulfonic acid salts or aromatic sulfonic acid salts, such as laurylsulfonic acid salts, myristylsulfonic acid salts, cetylsulfonic acid salts, oleylsulfonic acid salts, stearylsulfonic acid salts, tetradecanesulfonic acid salts, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid salts, secondary alkanesulfonic acid (13 to 15 carbon atoms) salts, secondary alkanesulfonic acid salts (11 to 14 carbon atoms), and α-olefin sulfonic acid salts, (4) sulfate ester salts of aliphatic alcohols, such as lauryl sulfate ester salts, oleyl sulfate ester salts, and stearyl sulfate ester salts, (5) sulfate ester salts of a product obtained by adding at least one alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to an aliphatic alcohol, such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate ester salts, polyoxyalkylene (polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene) lauryl ether sulfate ester salts, and polyoxyethylene oleyl ether sulfate ester salts, (6) sulfate ester salts of fatty acids, such as castor oil fatty acid sulfate ester salts, sesame oil fatty acid sulfate ester salts, tall oil fatty acid sulfate ester salts, soybean oil fatty acid sulfate ester salts, rapeseed oil fatty acid sulfate ester salts, and palm oil fatty acid sulfate ester salts, (7) sulfate ester salts of oils and fats, such as sulfate ester salts of castor oil, sulfate ester salts of sesame oil, sulfate ester salts of tall oil, sulfate ester salts of soybean oil, sulfate ester salts of rapeseed oil, sulfate ester salts of palm oil, and sulfate ester salts of beef tallow, (8) fatty acid salts, such as laurate salts, oleate salts, stearate salts, and 2-ethylhexanoate salts, (9) sulfosuccinate ester salts of aliphatic alcohols, such as di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate salts, and (10) N-acylsarcosine salts, such as oleoylsarcosine salts.

[0045] Examples of the salts constituting the anionic surfactant (C) include metal salts, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and organic amine salts.

[0046] Examples of the metal salts include alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts. Specific examples of the alkali metals constituting the alkali metal salts include sodium, potassium, and lithium. Examples of the alkaline earth metals constituting the alkaline earth metal salts include Group 2 elements, such as calcium, magnesium, beryllium, strontium, and barium.

[0047] Specific examples of the phosphoniums constituting the phosphonium salts include quaternary phosphoniums such as tetramethylphosphonium, tetraethylphosphonium, tetrabutylphosphonium, tetraoctylphosphonium, dibutyldihexylphosphonium, trihexyltetradecylphosphonium, triethyloctylphosphonium, trioctylmethylphosphonium, and triphenylmethylphosphonium.

[0048] The amines constituting the organic amine salts may be primary amines, secondary amines, or tertiary amines. Specific examples of the amines constituting the amine salts include (1) aliphatic amines, such as methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, N-N-diisopropylethylamine, butylamine, dibutylamine, 2-methylbutylamine, tributylamine, octylamine, and dimethyllaurylamine, (2) aromatic amines or heterocyclic amines, such as aniline, N-methylbenzylamine, pyridine, morpholine, piperazine, and derivatives thereof, (3) alkanolamines, such as monoethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, dibutylethanolamine, butyldiethanolamine, octyldiethanolamine, and lauryldiethanolamine, (4) arylamines, such as N-methylbenzylamine, and (5) polyoxyalkylene alkylamino ethers, such as polyoxyethylene laurylamino ether and polyoxyethylene sterylamino ether.

[0049] A single type of the anionic surfactant (C) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination.

[0050] In the treatment agent, the lower limit of the content of the anionic surfactant (C) is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.5% by mass or more. A content of 0.1% by mass or more of the anionic surfactant (C) can further enhance the emulsion stability of a diluted liquid obtained by diluting the treatment agent with a solvent. The upper limit of the content of the anionic surfactant (C) is preferably 30% by mass or less, and more preferably 25% by mass or less. A content of 30% by mass or less of the anionic surfactant (C) can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0051] When the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), and the anionic surfactant (C) in the treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, and that the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less. Maintaining the contents within such a range can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.(Fatty acid (D))

[0052] The treatment agent of the present embodiment may further contain a fatty acid (D). Inclusion of the fatty acid (D) in the treatment agent can suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent.

[0053] The fatty acid (D) used in the treatment agent of the present embodiment is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.

[0054] Specific examples of the fatty acid are the same as those described as raw materials for the ether monoester derivative (A).

[0055] Examples of the fats and oils include at least one selected from vegetable oils, animal oils, and hydrogenated oils thereof. Specific examples of the vegetable oils include coconut oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, castor oil, sesame oil, olive oil, camellia oil, shea butter, almond oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, rice bran oil, rice germ oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, palm oil, and tall oil. Specific examples of animal oils include egg yolk oil, beef tallow, lard, and fish oil.

[0056] A single type of the fatty acid (D) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination.

[0057] In the treatment agent, the lower limit of the content of the fatty acid (D) is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.5% by mass or more. A content of 0.1% by mass or more of the fatty acid (D) can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The upper limit of the content of the fatty acid (D) is preferably 15% by mass or less, and more preferably 10% by mass or less. A content of 15% by mass or less of the fatty acid (D) can further enhance the emulsion stability of a diluted liquid obtained by diluting the treatment agent with a solvent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0058] When the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), and the fatty acid (D) in the treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, and that the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less. Maintaining the contents within such a range can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. It can also enhance the emulsion stability of a diluted liquid obtained by diluting the treatment agent with a solvent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.(Polyhydric alcohol (E))

[0059] The treatment agent of the present embodiment may further contain a polyhydric alcohol (E). Inclusion of the polyhydric alcohol (E) in the treatment agent can enhance the carding performance during card passing of fibers treated with the treatment agent.

[0060] Specific examples of the polyhydric alcohol include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2-methyl-1,2-propanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,5-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, glycerin, 2-methyl-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, trimethylolpropane, sorbitan, pentaerythritol, and sorbitol.

[0061] A single type of the polyhydric alcohol (E) may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination.

[0062] In the treatment agent, the lower limit of the content of the polyhydric alcohol (E) is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.2% by mass or more. The upper limit of the content of the polyhydric alcohol (E) is preferably 70% by mass or less, and more preferably 65% by mass or less. Maintaining the content of the polyhydric alcohol (E) within such a range can enhance the carding performance during card passing of fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0063] When the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), and the polyhydric alcohol (E) in the treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, that the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, and that the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less. Maintaining the contents within such a range can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.(Lubricant (F))

[0064] The treatment agent of the present embodiment may further contain a lubricant (F). Inclusion of the lubricant (F) in the treatment agent can enhance the carding performance during card passing of fibers treated with the treatment agent.

[0065] The lubricant (F) used in the treatment agent of the present embodiment is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

[0066] Specific examples of the hydrocarbon compound include aromatic hydrocarbons, paraffinic hydrocarbons, and naphthenic hydrocarbons. More specific examples thereof include mineral oil, spindle oil, and liquid paraffin. Any commercially available hydrocarbon compound may be appropriately used.

[0067] The ester is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an ester oil produced from a fatty acid and an alcohol. The ester oil is produced, for example, from a fatty acid having an odd or even number of hydrocarbon groups and an alcohol.

[0068] The fatty acid used as a raw material for the ester oil is not particularly limited in terms of carbon number, branching, valency, etc., and may be, for example, a higher fatty acid, a fatty acid with a cyclo ring, or a fatty acid with an aromatic ring. The alcohol used as a raw material for the ester oil is not particularly limited in terms of carbon number, branching, valency, etc., and may be, for example, a higher alcohol, an alcohol with a cyclo ring, or an alcohol with an aromatic ring.

[0069] Specific examples of the ester oil include (1) an ester compound of an aliphatic monoalcohol and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, such as stearyl stearate, octyl palmitate, oleyl laurate, oleyl oleate, isotridecyl stearate, and isotetracosyl oleate; (2) a fully esterified compound of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, such as 1,6-hexanediol didecanate, glycerin trioleate, trimethylolpropane trilaurate, and pentaerythritol tetraoctate; (3) a partially esterified compound of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, such as sorbitan monostearate; (4) a fully esterified compound of an aliphatic monoalcohol and an aliphatic polyvalent carboxylic acid, such as dioleyl azelate, dioleyl thiodipropionate, diisocetyl thiodipropionate, and diisostearyl thiodipropionate; (5) an ester compound of an aromatic monoalcohol and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, such as benzyl oleate and benzyl laurate; (6) a fully esterified compound of an aromatic polyhydric alcohol and an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, such as bisphenol A dilaurate; and (7) a fully esterified compound of an aliphatic monoalcohol and an aromatic polyvalent carboxylic acid, such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisostearyl isophthalate, and trioctyl trimellitate.

[0070] Specific examples of the silicone include dimethyl silicones, phenyl-modified silicones, aminomodified silicones, amide-modified silicones, polyether-modified silicones, aminopolyether-modified silicones, alkyl-modified silicones, alkylaralkyl-modified silicones, alkyl polyether-modified silicones, ester-modified silicones, epoxy-modified silicones, carbinol-modified silicones, mercapto-modified silicones, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicones.

[0071] In the treatment agent, the lower limit of the content of the lubricant (F) is preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and more preferably 1% by mass or more. The upper limit of the content of the lubricant (F) is preferably 25% by mass or less, and more preferably 20% by mass or less. Maintaining the content of the lubricant (F) within such a range can enhance the carding performance during card passing of fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0072] When the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) in the treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, that the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, that the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, that the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, and that the lubricant (F) is contained in an amount of 1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less. Maintaining the contents within such a range can further suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. The range may also be defined by arbitrarily combining any of the above upper and lower limits.(Storage form)

[0073] The treatment agent may be provided as a one-component system containing the above-described constituents (A) to (E), or, from the viewpoint of improving formulation stability, may be provided as a two-component system as described below.

[0074] The two-component treatment agent is provided as a set comprising a first component for rayon spunlace treatment (hereinafter referred to as the "first component"), which contains the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B), and a second component for rayon spunlace treatment (hereinafter referred to as the "second component"), which contains at least one selected from the anionic surfactant (C) and the polyhydric alcohol (E). The first component may further optionally contain the fatty acid (D) and / or the lubricant (F).

[0075] The two-component treatment agent includes the first component and the second component, which are provided separately before use, for example, during storage or distribution. At the time of use, the two components are mixed to prepare the treatment agent as a single mixture.(Solvent)

[0076] The treatment agent of the present embodiment may, as necessary, be mixed with a solvent (S) to prepare a composition containing the rayon spunlace treatment agent (hereinafter referred to as the "treatment agent composition"). The treatment agent composition may be stored or distributed in this form.

[0077] The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure. In the present specification, atmospheric pressure refers to standard atmospheric pressure (101,325 Pa = 1 atm). Examples of the solvent include water and organic solvents. Specific examples of organic solvents include lower alcohols such as ethanol and propanol, and low-polarity solvents such as hexane. A single type of the solvent may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in an appropriate combination. Among these, polar solvents such as water and lower alcohols are preferred for their excellent dispersibility or solubility of the respective ingredients, and water is more preferred for its superior emulsion stability and handleability.

[0078] When the sum of the treatment agent and the solvent (S) in the treatment agent composition is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the treatment agent is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 99.99 parts by mass or less, and that the solvent (S) is contained in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less.(Rayon)

[0079] The rayon to which the treatment agent of the present embodiment is applied may be either long fibers, generally referred to as filaments, or short fibers, generally referred to as staples. Short fibers are preferred. The length of the short fibers in the present embodiment is not particularly limited, as long as it falls within the range considered to be short fibers in the relevant technical field. For example, the length is preferably 100 mm or less, and more preferably 51 mm or less.

[0080] The effects of the treatment agent according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0081] (1-1) The treatment agent of the first embodiment is configured to contain the nonionic surfactant (X), which includes the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B). Accordingly, even when the drying temperature in the fiber drying process performed before the carding process is high, the treatment agent can suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the rayon spunlace treatment agent. In addition, it can improve the emulsion stability of a diluted liquid of the treatment agent and enhance the carding performance during card passing of the treated fibers.

[0082] (1-2) The treatment agent of the first embodiment may be provided as a set comprising the first component, which contains the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B), and the second component, which contains at least one selected from the anionic surfactant (C) and the polyhydric alcohol (E). This configuration can improve the formulation stability of the treatment agent, particularly its storage stability.<Second embodiment>

[0083] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention, which implements the first component, will be described, focusing on the differences from the above embodiment.

[0084] The first component according to the present embodiment contains the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B). The first component may also optionally contain the fatty acid (D) and / or the lubricant (F). At the time of use, the first component is combined with either the second component, which contains at least one selected from the anionic surfactant (C) and the polyhydric alcohol (E), or a second component composition for rayon spunlace treatment (hereinafter referred to as the "second component composition"), which contains the second component and the solvent (S).

[0085] Each of the ether monoester derivative (A), ether diester derivative (B), anionic surfactant (C), fatty acid (D), polyhydric alcohol (E), lubricant (F), and solvent (S) is the same as described in the first embodiment.(Solvent)

[0086] The first component of the present embodiment may, as necessary, be mixed with the solvent (S) to prepare a first component composition for rayon spunlace treatment (hereinafter referred to as the "first component composition"), which contains the first component and the solvent (S). The first component composition may be stored or distributed in this form.

[0087] The solvent (S) may be selected from those exemplified in the first embodiment. When the sum of the contents of the first component and the solvent in the first component composition is taken as 100 parts by mass, it is preferable that the first component is contained in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass or more.

[0088] The effect of the first component according to the second embodiment will be described. In addition to the effects of the above embodiment, the second embodiment provides the following effect.

[0089] (2-1) The first component of the second embodiment contains the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B), and is used in combination with the second component, which contains the anionic surfactant (C) or the polyhydric alcohol (E). This configuration improves the formulation stability of both the first and second components, particularly their storage stability. In addition, the composition of the resulting treatment agent can be adjusted by modifying the mixing ratio of the first and second components. Furthermore, the first component can be distributed independently from the second component.<Third embodiment>

[0090] Next, the third embodiment of a method for producing a spunlace nonwoven fabric according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "nonwoven fabric production method") will be described.

[0091] The nonwoven fabric production method of the present embodiment includes attaching the treatment agent to rayon (first step), subjecting the rayon obtained in the first step to a carding process to produce a web (second step), and entangling the web obtained in the second step with a water flow to obtain a spunlace nonwoven fabric (third step).

[0092] In the first step, when the treatment agent is a one-component system, a diluted liquid is prepared containing the solvent and the treatment agent of the first embodiment. One example of a method for preparing the diluted liquid is to add the treatment agent of the first embodiment, or a composition containing the treatment agent, to the solvent. Preferably, the diluted liquid is prepared by adding the treatment agent of the first embodiment, or the composition containing the treatment agent, to water.

[0093] When the treatment agent is a two-component system, a diluted liquid is prepared containing the solvent, the first component of the second embodiment, and the second component. One example of a method for preparing the diluted liquid is to add the first component or the first component composition, and the second component or the second component composition, to the solvent. Preferably, the diluted liquid is prepared by adding the first component or the first component composition, and the second component or the second component composition, to water. The mass ratio of the nonvolatile fraction of the first component to the second component is preferably in the range of 95 / 5 to 5 / 95. Maintaining this ratio within the specified range can improve operability. In the present specification, nonvolatile fraction refers to the residue obtained after the object is heat-treated at 105°C for 2 hours to sufficiently remove volatile substances, that is, the absolute dry matter.

[0094] Examples of the solvent used for preparing the diluted liquid include those exemplified in the first embodiment. From the viewpoint of operability and the like, the concentration of the treatment agent in the diluted liquid is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[0095] The use of the first component and the second component in combination allows the mixing ratio of the components to be freely adjusted. Therefore, even under varying production conditions, such as differences in production equipment or climate conditions including temperature and humidity, it is easy to prepare a treatment agent or diluted liquid that imparts optimal fiber properties or fiber production characteristics by finely adjusting the mixing ratio.

[0096] As the method for attaching the treatment agent, any known method may be used, such as an immersion method, a spray method, a shower method, a roller method, or a dropping / flow-down method. The step of attaching the treatment agent is not particularly limited, and may be carried out, for example, after the scouring process. It is preferable to apply the treatment agent such that the amount of solid content (excluding the solvent) is 0.1% to 1% by mass relative to the rayon. The fibers to which the treatment agent has been applied are then subjected to a drying treatment under appropriate conditions.

[0097] The second step is a step of subjecting the rayon, to which the treatment agent has been attached, to carding to produce a web. The carding may be carried out using any known carding machine. Examples thereof include a flat card, a combination card, and a roller card.

[0098] The third step of obtaining a spunlace nonwoven fabric involves entangling the web, obtained in the web production step, with a water flow. The web can be formed into a sheet by applying a high-pressure water flow to entangle the fibers with one another under the pressure of the water flow. After the hydroentangling step, a drying process or a winding process may be appropriately performed.

[0099] The effects of the nonwoven fabric production method according to the third embodiment will be described. In addition to the effects of the above embodiments, the third embodiment provides the following effects.

[0100] (3-1) In the nonwoven fabric production method of the third embodiment, deterioration of drop-induced foaming of the water used for hydroentanglement can be suppressed. As a result, the water used for hydroentanglement can be circulated and reused in the process. This allows the hydroentanglement process to be carried out more effectively and improves the texture of the resulting spunlace nonwoven fabric.

[0101] (3-2) Furthermore, when the fibers to which the treatment agent has been applied are subjected to drying treatment under appropriate conditions, a high-temperature condition, for example, 100°C or higher, can be employed. With such a configuration, the drying treatment can be completed in a shorter period of time, thereby improving the production efficiency of the spunlace nonwoven fabric.

[0102] The above embodiments may be modified as follows. The above embodiments and the following modifications may also be implemented in combination with one another, provided that no technical contradictions arise. The method for preparing the diluted liquid of the treatment agent in the above embodiments is not particularly limited, and a method other than those described in the explanation of the third embodiment may be adopted. In the treatment agent, composition, or diluted liquid according to the above embodiments, additional constituents commonly used in treatment agents such as other solvents, stabilizers, antistatic agents, binders, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, organic acids, and surfactants other than those described above may also be included, provided that the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Such constituents may be incorporated, for example, to maintain the quality of the treatment agent, composition, or diluted liquid. It is preferable that the content of these constituents other than the solvent be 50% by mass or less in each treatment agent, from the viewpoint of effectively exerting the efficacy of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0103] The following examples are presented to illustrate the features and effects of the present invention in more detail; however, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following descriptions of the examples and comparative examples, part(s) refers to part(s) by mass, and % refers to % by mass, unless otherwise specified.

[0104] Experimental Part 1 (Preparation of one-component treatment agent)(Example 1)

[0105] As shown in Table 1, a treatment agent of Example 1 was prepared containing 23 parts (%) of a compound (A-1), obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, as the ether monoester derivative (A), which is the nonionic surfactant (X); 27 parts (%) of a compound (B-1), obtained by adding 14 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid and then adding 1 mol of oleic acid, as the ether diester derivative (B); 10 parts (%) of potassium lauryl phosphate (C-1) as the anionic surfactant (C); 2 parts (%) of beef tallow (D-1) as the fatty acid (D); 36 parts (%) of ethylene glycol (E-1) as the polyhydric alcohol (E); and 2 parts (%) of stearyl stearate (F-1) as the lubricant (F).(Examples 2 to 32 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11)

[0106] Treatment agents of Examples 2 to 32 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11 were prepared in the same manner as the treatment agent of Example 1 to contain the nonionic surfactant (X), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) in the proportions shown in Table 1.

[0107] The type and content of the nonionic surfactant (X), the type and content of the anionic surfactant (C), the type and content of the fatty acid (D), the type and content of the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the type and content of the lubricant (F) are shown in the "Nonionic surfactant (X)" column, the "Anionic surfactant (C)" column, the "Fatty acid (D)" column, the "Polyhydric alcohol (E)" column, and the "Lubricant (F)" column of Table 1, respectively. The content of the other nonionic surfactant (G) indicates the amount (parts) blended when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) in the treatment agent is taken as 100 parts. [Table 1]ClassificationNonionic surfactant (X)Anionic surfactant (C)Fatty acid (D)Polyhydric alcohol (E)Lubricant (F)Nonionic surfactant (X)Ether monoester derivative (A)Ether diester derivative (B)Other nonionic surfactant (G)TypePartTypePartTypePartTypePartTypePartTypePartTypePart relative to total of 100 parts of constituents (A) to (F)Example 1A-123B-127C-110D-12E-136F-12Example 2A-136B-37C-21D-25E-50.5F-29A-22B-428E-611.5Example 3A-230B-223C-313D-21E-330F-33Example 4A-313B-376C-42D-33E-43F-43Example 5A-446B-219C-35D-37E-95F-518G-12Example 6A-545B-538C-41D-43.8E-20.2F-412Example 7A-640B-140C-42D-50.5E-71.5F-12G-25C-514Example 8A-719B-463C-10.5D-29E-23.5F-35Example 9A-818B-312C-32D-62E-865F-21Example 10A-862B-13C-512D-53E-31F-34G-21B-615Example 11A-927B-338C-38D-78E-115F-14Example 12A-1026B-435C-515D-82E-514F-28Example 13A-1173B-113C-71D-103E-42F-58G-13Example 14A-1118B-745C-815D-113E-310F-49Example 15A-1237B-833C-55D-37E-35F-313Example 16A-660B-19C-33D-27E-26F-115G-35Example 17A-39B-350C-412D-33E-47F-219Example 18A-416B-171C-25D-22E-73D-93Example 19A-121.5B-316.5C-21D-114E-857Example 20A-28B-260C-35D-53E-424Example 21A-950B-47C-28D-35E-130G-42Example 22A-1259B-227C-95D-129G-58Example 23A-1117B-173C-72D-138G-212Example 24A-1622B-1056C-49D-813Example 25A-1058B-1141C-101G-125Example 26A-1329B-956C-315G-13Example 27A-1445B-830C-525Example 28A-79B-172C-619Example 29A-1535B-365G-350Example 30A-183B-117G-522Example 31A-78B-192G-320Example 32A-193B-47Comparative Example 1A-320C-13D-15E-170F-12Comparative Example 2B-545C-105D-49E-740F-41Comparative Example 3A-29C-14D-121E-62F-315A-1540C-39Comparative Example 4A-185C-110D-95G-210Comparative Example 5A-765D-1235Comparative Example 6A-2100Comparative Example 7B-3100Comparative Example 8rA-1828B-245C-25D-25E-317Comparative Example 9A-465rB-1225C-510Comparative Example 10rA-1745B-155Comparative Example 11A-430rB-1370 [Table 2] ClassificationDrop-induced foaming testEmulsion stabilityCarding performanceDrying temperature 80°CDrying temperature 120°CExample 1⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 2⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 3⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 4⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 5⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 6⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 7⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 8⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 9⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 10⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 11⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 12⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 13⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 14⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 15⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 16⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 17⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 18⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 19⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 20⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 21⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 22⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚○Example 23⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚○Example 24⊚⊚⊚⊚○Example 25⊚⊚⊚○Example 26⊚⊚⊚○Example 27⊚○⊚○Example 28⊚○⊚○Example 29⊚○○○Example 30⊚○○○Example 31○○○○Example 32○○○○Comparative Example 1⊚×⊚⊚Comparative Example 2⊚×⊚⊚Comparative Example 3⊚×⊚⊚Comparative Example 4⊚×○⊚Comparative Example 5○×○○Comparative Example 6○×××Comparative Example 7××××Comparative Example 8××○○Comparative Example 9××××Comparative Example 10××××Comparative Example 11××××

[0108] The details of the nonionic surfactant (X), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) listed in Table 1 are as follows.<Nonionic surfactant (X)>

[0109] (Ether monoester derivative (A)) A-1: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid A-2: Compound obtained by adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid A-3: Compound obtained by adding 20 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid A-4: Compound obtained by adding 13 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid A-5: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid A-6: Compound obtained by adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid A-7: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of palmitic acid A-8: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of lauric acid A-9: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of coconut fatty acid A-10: Compound obtained by adding 20 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid A-11: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid A-12: Compound obtained by adding 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid A-13: Compound obtained by randomly adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid A-14: Compound obtained by randomly adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid A-15: Compound obtained by sequentially adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and then 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid A-16: Compound obtained by sequentially adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and then 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid rA-17: Compound obtained by adding 40 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid rA-18: Compound obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of cerotic acid The compounds rA-17 and rA-18 are compounds similar to the ether monoester derivative (A). (Ether diester derivative (B))

[0110] B-1: Compound obtained by adding 14 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of oleic acid B-2: Compound obtained by adding 23 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-3: Compound obtained by adding 9 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-4: Compound obtained by adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-5: Compound obtained by adding 9 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of lauric acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of lauric acid B-6: Compound obtained by adding 9 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-7: Compound obtained by adding 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-8: Compound obtained by randomly adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-9: Compound obtained by randomly adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-10: Compound obtained by sequentially adding 5 mol of ethylene oxide and then 10 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid B-11: Compound obtained by sequentially adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide and then 5 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid rB-12: Compound obtained by adding 9 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of cerotic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of cerotic acid rB-13: Compound obtained by adding 40 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, followed by the addition of 1 mol of stearic acid The compounds rB-12 and rB-13 are compounds similar to the ether diester derivative (B). (Other nonionic surfactant (G))

[0111] G-1: Polyoxyethylene stearyl ether (n = 5; number of moles of added ethylene oxide, same below) G-2: Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (n = 9) G-3: Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (n = 20) G-4: Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (n = 18) G-5: Polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate (n = 20) <Anionic surfactant (C)>

[0112] C-1: Potassium lauryl phosphate C-2: Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate C-3: Sodium beef tallow sulfate C-4: Sodium oleate C-5: Potassium oleate C-6: Potassium stearate C-7: Potassium laurate C-8: Potassium octanoate C-9: Sodium lauryl sulfonate C-10: Sodium tetradecanesulfonate <Fatty acid (D)>

[0113] D-1: Beef tallow D-2: Stearic acid D-3: Oleic acid D-4: Palmitic acid D-5: Lauric acid D-6: Coconut fatty acid D-7: Behenic acid D-8: Castor oil D-9: Hydrogenated castor oil D-10: Palm oil D-11: Hydrogenated palm oil D-12: Tall oil D-13: Coconut oil <Polyhydric alcohol (E)>

[0114] E-1: Ethylene glycol E-2: Diethylene glycol E-3: Propylene glycol E-4: Glycerin E-5: Polyethylene glycol (mass-average molecular weight: 200) E-6: Polyethylene glycol (mass-average molecular weight: 400) E-7: Polyethylene glycol (mass-average molecular weight: 600) E-8: Polyethylene glycol (mass-average molecular weight: 2,000) E-9: Polypropylene glycol (mass-average molecular weight: 400) <Lubricant (F)>

[0115] F-1: Stearyl stearate F-2: Mineral oil (kinematic viscosity at 40°C: 90 mm 2< / s) F-3: Mineral oil (kinematic viscosity at 40°C: 15 mm 2< / s) F-4: Dimethyl silicone (kinematic viscosity at 25°C: 10 mm 2< / s) F-5: Sorbitan monostearate The mass-average molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Experimental Part 2 (Adhesion of treatment agent to rayon fibers)

[0116] Each treatment agent prepared in Experimental Part 1 was diluted with ion-exchanged water to prepare a 0.15% diluted liquid of the treatment agent. This diluted liquid of the treatment agent was applied to rayon fibers having a fineness of 1.3 × 10 -4< g / m and a fiber length of 38 mm by spray lubrication, such that the amount of the treatment agent attached to the fibers was 0.15%. The treated fibers were then dried either in a hot-air dryer at 80°C for 2 hours or at 120°C for 1 hour, followed by overnight conditioning in an atmosphere of 25°C and 40% RH, thereby yielding rayon fibers to which the treatment agent had been attached.Experimental Part 3 (Drop-induced foaming test)

[0117] In 150 g of ion-exchanged water, 15 g of the rayon fibers treated in Experimental Part 2 was immersed for 2 hours. After immersion, the fibers were removed and squeezed using a hand juicer. Next, 10 mL of the squeezed liquid was transferred into a 25-mL graduated cylinder with a stopper. The cylinder was sealed and vigorously shaken 30 times over a 10-second period (amplitude: 30 cm). After the liquid was allowed to stand for 5 minutes, the height from the water surface to the top of the foam layer was measured. The drop-induced foaming property was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Drop-induced foaming test" column of Table 2.- Evaluation criteria for drop-induced foaming test

[0118] ⊚⊚ (Excellent): Foam height from water surface is less than 1 mm ⊚ (Good): Foam height from water surface is 1 mm or more and less than 1.5 mm ∘ (Acceptable): Foam height from water surface is 1.5 mm or more and less than 4 mm × (Poor): Foam height from water surface is 4 mm or more Experimental Part 4 (Emulsion stability)

[0119] To 5 parts by mass of each treatment agent prepared in Experimental Part 1, 95 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added, and the mixture was stirred at 50°C to prepare a diluted liquid of the treatment agent containing 5 parts by mass of the treatment agent. Then, 100 mL of the prepared diluted liquid of the treatment agent was placed into a 100-mL conical-bottom precipitation vial. The vial was left to stand at 20°C, and the amount of precipitate after 24 hours was measured. Emulsion stability was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Emulsion stability" column of Table 2.- Evaluation criteria for emulsion stability

[0120] ⊚⊚ (Excellent): Precipitate volume is less than 0.1 mL ⊚ (Good): Precipitate volume is 0.1 mL or more and less than 0.5 mL ∘ (Acceptable): Precipitate volume is 0.5 mL or more and less than 1 mL × (Poor): Precipitate volume is 1 mL or more Experimental Part 5 (Carding performance)

[0121] After 20 g of the rayon fibers treated with each treatment agent prepared in Experimental Part 1 were conditioned for 24 hours in a thermostatic chamber at 20°C and 65% RH, the fibers were supplied to a miniature carding machine. Using Formula (1) below, the ratio of the discharge amount to the input amount was calculated as the card spinning rate (%), and the carding performance was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "Carding performance" column of Table 2.

[0122] Card spinning rate [%] = discharge amount [g] / input amount [g] × 100 ... (1)- Evaluation criteria for carding performance

[0123] ⊚⊚ (Excellent): Card spinning rate is 90% or more ⊚ (Good): Card spinning rate is 85% or more and less than 90% ∘ (Acceptable): Card spinning rate is 80% or more and less than 85% × (Poor): Card spinning rate is less than 80% Experimental Part 6 (Preparation of first component composition of two-component treatment agent)(First component composition (I-1))

[0124] As shown in Table 3, a first component composition (I-1) was prepared containing 20 parts (%) of the compound (A-1), obtained by adding 10 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of stearic acid, as the ether monoester derivative (A), which is the nonionic surfactant (X); 23 parts (%) of the compound (B-1), obtained by adding 14 mol of ethylene oxide to 1 mol of oleic acid and then adding 1 mol of oleic acid, as the ether diester derivative (B); 2 parts (%) of beef tallow (D-1) as the fatty acid (D); 2 parts (%) of stearyl stearate (F-1) as the lubricant (F); and 53 parts (%) of water as the solvent (S).(First component compositions (I-2) to (I-28))

[0125] In the same manner as the preparation of the first component composition (I-1), compositions (1-2) to (I-28) were prepared to contain the nonionic surfactant (X), the fatty acid (D), the lubricant (F), and the solvent (S) in the proportions shown in Table 3.

[0126] The type and content of the nonionic surfactant (X), the type and content of the fatty acid (D), the type and content of the lubricant (F), and the type and content of the solvent (S) are shown in the "Nonionic surfactant (X)" column, the "Fatty acid (D)" column, the "Lubricant (F)" column, and the "Solvent (S)" column of Table 3, respectively. [Table 3]ClassificationFirst component compositionFormulation stabilityNonionic surfactant (X)Fatty acid (D)Lubricant (F)Solvent (S)Ether monoester derivative (A)Ether diester derivative (B)TypePartTypePartTypePartTypePartTypePartI-1A-120B-123D-12F-12Water53⊚I-2A-124B-35D-23F-26Water42⊚A-21B-419I-3A-250B-238D-22F-35Water5⊚I-4A-312B-370D-33F-43Water12⊚I-5A-444B-218D-37F-517Water14⊚I-6A-545B-538D-44F-412Water1⊚I-7A-643B-143D-51F-12Water11⊚I-8A-716B-454D-28F-34Water18⊚I-9A-822B-315D-62F-21Water60⊚I-10A-864B-13D-53F-34Water11⊚B-615I-11A-919B-327D-76F-13Water45⊚I-12A-1018B-425D-81F-26Water50⊚I-13A-1171B-113D-103F-58Water5⊚I-14A-1119B-748D-113F-410Water20⊚I-15A-1224B-821D-35F-38Water42⊚I-16A-640B-16D-25F-110Water39⊚I-17A-33B-317D-31F-26Water73⊚I-18A-414B-164D-22Water17⊚D-93I-19A-145B-335D-118Water12⊚I-20A-23B-223D-51Water73⊚I-21A-950B-47D-35Water38⊚I-22A-1243B-220D-127Water30⊚I-23A-1110B-145D-135Water40⊚I-24A-1621B-1052D-812Water15⊚I-25A-1041B-1129Water30⊚I-26A-1327B-953Water20⊚I-27A-1459B-839Water2⊚I-28A-75B-138Water57⊚ Experimental Part 7 (Preparation of second component composition of two-component treatment agent)(Second component composition (11-1))

[0127] As shown in Table 4, a second component composition (II-1) was prepared containing 9 parts (%) of potassium lauryl phosphate (C-1) as the anionic surfactant (C), 31 parts (%) of ethylene glycol (E-1) as the polyhydric alcohol (E), and 60 parts (%) of water as the solvent (S).(Second component compositions (II-2) to (11-28))

[0128] In the same manner as the preparation of the second component composition (II-1), compositions (II-2) to (II-28) were prepared to contain the anionic surfactant (C), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the solvent (S) in the proportions shown in Table 4.

[0129] The type and content of the anionic surfactant (C), the type and content of the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the type and content of the solvent (S) are shown in the "Anionic surfactant (C)" column, the "Polyhydric alcohol (E)" column, and the "Solvent (S)" column of Table 4, respectively. [Table 4]ClassificationSecond component compositionFormulation stabilityAnionic surfactant (C)Polyhydric alcohol (E)Solvent (S)TypePartTypePartTypePartII-1C-19E-131Water60⊚II-2C-27E-53Water12⊚E-678II-3C-329E-366Water5⊚II-4C-47E-411Water82⊚II-5C-36E-96Water88⊚II-6C-412E-22Water86⊚II-7C-49E-76Water25⊚C-560II-8C-18E-257Water35⊚II-9C-32E-855Water43⊚II-10C-512E-31Water87⊚II-11C-323E-143Water34⊚II-12C-516E-515Water69⊚II-13C-79E-418Water73⊚II-14C-813E-39Water78⊚II-15C-513E-313Water74⊚II-16C-318E-235Water47⊚II-17C-44E-43Water93⊚II-18C-252E-731Water17⊚II-19C-22E-886Water12⊚II-20C-33E-415Water82⊚II-21C-28E-130Water62⊚II-22C-915Water85⊚II-23C-723Water77⊚II-24C-420Water80⊚II-25C-1035Water65⊚II-26C-356Water44⊚II-27C-533Water67⊚II-28C-619Water81⊚ Experimental Part 8 (Evaluation of formulation stability)

[0130] The first component compositions and the second component compositions were allowed to stand in an environment at 50°C, and their appearance was observed after 24 hours. The formulation stability was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Formulation stability" columns of Tables 3 and 4.- Evaluation criteria for formulation stability (first component composition and second component composition)

[0131] ⊚ (Acceptable): No separation observed × (Not acceptable): Separation observed Experimental Part 9 (Preparation of treatment agent composition from first component composition and second component composition)(Example 33)

[0132] As shown in Table 5, 50% (parts) of the first component composition (I-1) and 50% (parts) of the second component composition (II-1) were mixed to prepare a treatment agent composition of Example 33.(Examples 34 to 60)

[0133] In the same manner as in Example 33, the first component compositions and the second component compositions shown in Table 5 were mixed to prepare treatment agent compositions of Examples 34 to 60.

[0134] The type and mass ratio of the first component composition and the type and mass ratio of the second component composition are shown in the "First component composition" column and the "Second component composition" column of Table 5, respectively. [Table 5]ClassificationFirst component compositionSecond component compositionDrop-induced foaming testEmulsion stabilityCarding performanceTypeRatio (%)TypeRatio (%)Drying temperature 80°CDrying temperature 120°CExample 33I-150II-150⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 34I-291II-29⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 35I-357II-343⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 36I-480II-420⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 37I-555II-545⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 38I-692II-68⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 39I-780II-720⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 40I-895II-85⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 41I-941II-959⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 42I-1050II-1050⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 43I-1180II-1120⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 44I-1260II-1240⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 45I-1390II-1310⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 46I-1445II-1455⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 47I-1580II-1520⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 48I-1690II-1610⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 49I-1752II-1748⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 50I-1892II-188⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 51I-1942II-1958⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 52I-2062II-2038⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 53I-2150II-2150⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚Example 54I-2280II-2220⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚○Example 55I-2395II-235⊚⊚⊚⊚⊚○Example 56I-2470II-2430⊚⊚⊚⊚○Example 57I-2598II-252⊚⊚⊚○Example 58I-2680II-2620⊚⊚⊚○Example 59I-2750II-2750⊚○⊚○Example 60I-2865II-2835○○⊚○ Experimental Part 10 (Evaluation of two-component treatment agent composition)

[0135] Using each of the obtained treatment agent composition, the drop-induced foaming test, the emulsion stability, and the carding performance were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in the "Drop-induced foaming test" column, the "Emulsion stability" column, and the "Carding performance" column of Table 5, respectively.

[0136] As is apparent from the evaluation results of the examples in comparison with the comparative examples shown in each table, the treatment agent of the present invention can suppress deterioration of drop-induced foaming of water during the spunlace process using fibers treated with the treatment agent. In addition, the emulsion stability of the diluted liquid of the treatment agent can be improved. Furthermore, the carding performance during card passing of fibers treated with the treatment agent can also be improved.

[0137] The present disclosure also includes the following aspects.(Clause 1)

[0138] A rayon spunlace treatment agent containing a nonionic surfactant (X), which includes an ether monoester derivative (A) and an ether diester derivative (B).

[0139] The ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less.

[0140] The ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less.(Clause 2)

[0141] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1, wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, and the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less.(Clause 3)

[0142] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant (C).(Clause 4)

[0143] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant (C), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), and the anionic surfactant (C) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, and the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less.(Clause 5)

[0144] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1, further comprising a fatty acid (D).

[0145] The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.(Clause 6)

[0146] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1 , further comprising an anionic surfactant (C) and a fatty acid (D), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), and the fatty acid (D) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, and the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less.

[0147] The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.(Clause 7)

[0148] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1 , further comprising a polyhydric alcohol (E).(Clause 8)

[0149] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1 , further comprising an anionic surfactant (C), a fatty acid (D), and a polyhydric alcohol (E), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), and the polyhydric alcohol (E) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, and the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less.

[0150] The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.(Clause 9)

[0151] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1, further comprising a lubricant (F).

[0152] The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.(Clause 10)

[0153] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1 , further comprising an anionic surfactant (C), a fatty acid (D), a polyhydric alcohol (E), and a lubricant (F), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, and the lubricant (F) is contained in an amount of 1 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less.

[0154] The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.

[0155] The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.(Clause 11)

[0156] The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 1, wherein The rayon spunlace treatment agent is provided as a set comprising a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, which contains the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), optionally a fatty acid (D), and optionally a lubricant (F), and a second component for rayon spunlace treatment, which contains at least one selected from an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E).

[0157] The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.

[0158] The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.(Clause 12)

[0159] A composition containing a rayon spunlace treatment agent, comprising the rayon spunlace treatment agent according to any one of clauses 1 to 11 and a solvent (S), wherein when the sum of the contents of the rayon spunlace treatment agent and the solvent (S) in the composition is taken as 100 parts by mass, the rayon spunlace treatment agent is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 99.99 parts by mass or less, and the solvent (S) is contained in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less.

[0160] The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.(Clause 13)

[0161] The composition containing a rayon spunlace treatment agent according to clause 12, wherein the solvent (S) is water.(Clause 14)

[0162] A first component for rayon spunlace treatment, which is used in combination with either a second component for rayon spunlace treatment containing at least one selected from an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E), or a composition containing the second component and a solvent (S), comprising an ether monoester derivative (A), an ether diester derivative (B), optionally a fatty acid (D), and optionally a lubricant (F).

[0163] The ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less.

[0164] The ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less.

[0165] The fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.

[0166] The lubricant (F) is at least one selected from a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

[0167] The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.(Clause 15)

[0168] A composition containing a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, comprising the first component for rayon spunlace treatment according to clause 14 and a solvent (S).

[0169] The solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.(Clause 16)

[0170] A method for producing a spunlace nonwoven fabric, comprising the following three steps.

[0171] The first step is attaching the rayon spunlace treatment agent according to any one of clauses 1 to 11 to rayon.

[0172] The second step is subjecting the rayon obtained in the first step to a carding process to produce a web.

[0173] The third step is entangling the web obtained in the second step with a water flow to obtain a spunlace nonwoven fabric.

Claims

1. A rayon spunlace treatment agent comprising a nonionic surfactant (X), which includes an ether monoester derivative (A) and an ether diester derivative (B), and a fatty acid (D), wherein the ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded, and the fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from the group consisting of fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils.

2. A rayon spunlace treatment agent comprising a nonionic surfactant (X), which includes an ether monoester derivative (A) and an ether diester derivative (B), and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, wherein the ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, and the ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded.

3. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A) and the ether diester derivative (B) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, and the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less.

4. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant (C).

5. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant (C), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), and the anionic surfactant (C) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, and the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less.

6. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1 , further comprising an anionic surfactant (C), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), and the fatty acid (D) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, and the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less.

7. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), and the polyhydric alcohol (E) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, and the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less.

8. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, further comprising a lubricant (F), wherein the lubricant (F) is at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

9. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, further comprising an anionic surfactant (C), a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, and a lubricant (F), wherein when the sum of the contents of the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the anionic surfactant (C), the fatty acid (D), the polyhydric alcohol (E), and the lubricant (F) in the rayon spunlace treatment agent is taken as 100 parts by mass, the ether monoester derivative (A) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 85 parts by mass or less, the anionic surfactant (C) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, the fatty acid (D) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, the polyhydric alcohol (E) is contained in an amount of 0.1 parts by mass or more and 70 parts by mass or less, and the lubricant (F) is contained in an amount of 1 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, and the lubricant (F) is at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

10. The rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein the rayon spunlace treatment agent is provided as a set comprising a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, which contains the ether monoester derivative (A), the ether diester derivative (B), the fatty acid (D), and optionally a lubricant (F), and a second component for rayon spunlace treatment, which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, and the lubricant (F) is at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone.

11. A composition containing a rayon spunlace treatment agent, comprising the rayon spunlace treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a solvent (S), wherein when the sum of the contents of the rayon spunlace treatment agent and the solvent (S) in the composition is taken as 100 parts by mass, the rayon spunlace treatment agent is contained in an amount of 10 parts by mass or more and 99.99 parts by mass or less, and the solvent (S) is contained in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, and the solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.

12. The composition containing a rayon spunlace treatment agent according to claim 11, wherein the solvent (S) is water.

13. A first component for rayon spunlace treatment, which is used in combination with either a second component for rayon spunlace treatment containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant (C) and a polyhydric alcohol (E) excluding esters, or a composition containing the second component and a solvent (S), comprising an ether monoester derivative (A), an ether diester derivative (B), a fatty acid (D), and optionally a lubricant (F), wherein the ether monoester derivative (A) is a compound obtained by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, the ether diester derivative (B) is a compound obtained by esterifying, with 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, a compound prepared by adding, to 1 mol of a fatty acid having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide having 2 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms in a total amount of 1 mol or more and 30 mol or less, wherein polyethylene glycol dilaurate is excluded, the fatty acid (D) is at least one selected from the group consisting of fatty acids having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms and fats and oils, the lubricant (F) is at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon compound, an ester excluding fats and oils, and a silicone, and the solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.

14. A composition containing a first component for rayon spunlace treatment, comprising the first component for rayon spunlace treatment according to claim 13 and a solvent (S), wherein the solvent (S) has a boiling point of 105°C or lower at atmospheric pressure.

15. A method for producing a spunlace nonwoven fabric, comprising the following three steps: the first step is attaching the rayon spunlace treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to rayon; the second step is subjecting the rayon obtained in the first step to a carding process to produce a web; and the third step is entangling the web obtained in the second step with a water flow to obtain a spunlace nonwoven fabric.

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