Nonwoven fabric for wet wipes, wet wipes, package of wet wipes, and use of water-repellent cellulosic fiber

Abstract

To provide a nonwoven fabric for wet wipes, which is excellent in extractability of wet wipes formed of nonwoven fabric.SOLUTION: A nonwoven fabric is a nonwoven fabric for wet wipes. The nonwoven fabric contains water-repellent cellulosic fibers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to nonwoven fabrics for wet wipes, wet wipes, packaging for wet wipes, and uses of water repellent cellulosic fibers. [Background technology]

[0002] In packages for wet wipes, wet tissues, etc., particularly pop-up packages, when removing one wet wipe from the package, multiple wet wipes, including the next wet wipe, may be removed at once (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "tendency to remove multiple wet wipes").

[0003] Studies are being conducted to solve the problems associated with this tendency to take out multiple sheets. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses wet wipes comprising a nonwoven fabric produced by a wet method and a medicinal solution impregnated into the nonwoven fabric, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric comprises 5 to 40% by mass of synthetic fibers having a specific gravity of more than 1.0 and 60 to 95% by mass of cellulosic fibers, and the synthetic fibers comprise 20 to 100% by mass of synthetic fibers having an irregular cross-sectional shape.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a wet wipe comprising a nonwoven fabric and a medicinal solution impregnated in the nonwoven fabric, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric comprises hydrophobic fibers, and the medicinal solution comprises (i) a cationic surfactant, (ii) a low HLB surfactant having an HLB of 3.0 to 7.0, and (iii) water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-94188 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-92982 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not disclose the wet wipes according to the present disclosure. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a nonwoven fabric for wet wipes, which has excellent removal properties when the wet wipes are formed from the nonwoven fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present inventors have discovered a nonwoven fabric for wet wipes, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric comprises water-repellent cellulosic fibers. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The nonwoven fabric for wet wipes according to the present disclosure has excellent removal properties for wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a wet wipes package 1 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an end view of the wet wipes package 1 taken along the line II-II. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a plurality of wet wipes 9. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an end view of the wet wipes packaging 1 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Specifically, the present disclosure relates to the following aspects: [Aspect 1] A nonwoven fabric for wet wipes, comprising: The nonwoven fabric contains water-repellent cellulosic fibers. A nonwoven fabric characterized by the above.

[0011] The nonwoven fabric includes water-repellent cellulosic fibers, which are cellulosic fibers that have water repellency and exhibit water repellency, but once wetted, can retain a certain amount of moisture within the fiber and have a certain degree of swelling in water.

[0012] The water-repellent cellulosic fibers are hydrophobic and have high chemical retention and equivalent or higher water repellency than synthetic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, etc. that do not retain moisture (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "hydrophobic fibers, etc."). Therefore, the nonwoven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulosic fibers according to the present invention has (i) high chemical retention and (ii) equivalent or higher water repellency due to the characteristics of the water-repellent cellulosic fibers compared to nonwoven fabrics that contain hydrophobic fibers, etc. instead of the water-repellent cellulosic fibers. As a result, wet wipes formed from nonwoven fabrics containing the water-repellent cellulosic fibers are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate than wet wipes formed from nonwoven fabrics that contain hydrophobic fibers, etc. instead of the water-repellent cellulosic fibers.

[0013] In addition, the water-repellent cellulose fibers have the same chemical solution retention and high water repellency as ordinary cellulose fibers that have not been treated for water repellency (hereinafter, in order to distinguish them from water-repellent cellulose fibers, "ordinary cellulose fibers that have not been treated for water repellency" may be referred to as "hydrophilic cellulose fibers"). Therefore, the nonwoven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers according to the present invention has (i) the same chemical solution retention and (ii) high water repellency due to the characteristics of the water-repellent cellulose fibers as compared with a nonwoven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulose fibers instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers. As a result, wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate from each other than wet wipes formed from a nonwoven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulose fibers instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0014] For example, when a wet wipe made of the nonwoven fabric is folded along a folding line, adjacent wet wipes portions of the wet wipes divided by the folding lines are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate, making it easier to unfold from the folded state. When multiple wet wipes made of the nonwoven fabric are stacked, adjacent wet wipes portions in the stacking direction are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate, making it less likely that multiple wet wipes, including the next wet wipe, will be taken out at once when one wet wipe is taken out. The tendency to take out multiple wet wipes tends to be higher as the wet wipe holds a larger amount of chemical solution. For these reasons, wet wipes made from the nonwoven fabric have excellent removal properties.

[0015] Furthermore, since the water-repellent cellulosic fibers contained in the nonwoven fabric are biodegradable, the nonwoven fabric, and ultimately the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, are more likely to biodegrade than nonwoven fabrics that contain hydrophobic fibers instead of water-repellent cellulosic fibers, thereby reducing the environmental impact.

[0016] [Aspect 2] 2. The nonwoven fabric according to aspect 1, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a water absorbency of 60 to 110 mm according to the Klemm method. Since the nonwoven fabric has a predetermined water absorbency measured by the Klemm method, in wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick to each other and are easier to separate, and the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric have excellent ease of removal.

[0017] [Aspect 3] 3. The nonwoven fabric according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the nonwoven fabric contains the water-repellent cellulosic fibers in an amount of 10 to 35% by mass. Since the nonwoven fabric contains a predetermined amount of water-repellent cellulosic fibers, in wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick to each other and are easier to separate, and the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric have excellent removal properties.

[0018] [Aspect 4] A nonwoven fabric according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the water-repellent cellulosic fibers have a degree of swelling in water of 10 to 80% by mass. In the above nonwoven fabric, the water-repellent cellulosic fibers have a predetermined degree of water swelling, so in wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe parts are less likely to stick to each other and are easier to separate, and the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric have excellent removal properties.

[0019] [Aspect 5] The nonwoven fabric includes a first surface layer and a second surface layer constituting a surface of the nonwoven fabric, and an intermediate layer disposed between the first surface layer and the second surface layer, each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer contains the water-repellent cellulosic fiber; The intermediate layer includes a heat-fusible fiber. The nonwoven fabric according to any one of aspects 1 to 4.

[0020] The nonwoven fabric has a predetermined structure, and the first and second surface layers each contain water-repellent cellulosic fibers, so that in a wet wipe formed from the nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate, and the wet wipe formed from the nonwoven fabric has excellent removal properties. In addition, the intermediate layer contains heat-fusible fibers, so that the wet wipe formed from the nonwoven fabric has excellent wet strength and is less likely to be stiff to the user due to the heat-fusible fibers.

[0021] [Aspect 6] 6. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 5, wherein the thermally adhesive fibers include biodegradable thermally adhesive fibers. In the nonwoven fabric, since the heat-fusible fibers contain heat-fusible fibers having biodegradability, the nonwoven fabric, and therefore the wet wipes, tend to have biodegradability.

[0022] [Aspect 7] 7. The nonwoven fabric of claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer is comprised of cellulosic fibers.

[0023] In the above nonwoven fabric, the first surface layer and the second surface layer are each composed of cellulosic fibers, so that in wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric, the medicinal solution is more easily retained in the first surface layer and the second surface layer, making the wet wipes more likely to have excellent wiping properties.

[0024] [Aspect 8] Aspect 8. The nonwoven fabric of any one of aspects 5 to 7, wherein the intermediate layer further contains pulp fibers.

[0025] In the nonwoven fabric, the intermediate layer further contains pulp fibers, so that in the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, the amount of chemical solution held in the intermediate layer is relatively large, and the amount of chemical solution contained in the first and second surface layers is relatively small. As a result, the amount of chemical solution on the surfaces of the wet wipes parts (the first and second surface layers) is relatively small, the wet wipes parts are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate, and the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric have excellent removal properties.

[0026] [Aspect 9] A wet wipe comprising a nonwoven fabric sheet formed from the nonwoven fabric according to any one of aspects 1 to 8 and a medicinal solution. The wet wipes have the effects disclosed in embodiment 1.

[0027] [Aspect 10] A wet wipes package, comprising: a plurality of wet wipes housed inside a package body having a top portion with an opening and a bottom portion, At least a portion of the plurality of wet wipes is composed of the wet wipes according to embodiment 9; The plurality of wet wipes are stacked in a direction from the bottom to the top. A package for wet wipes comprising:

[0028] The wet wipes packaging has the effects disclosed in embodiment 1.

[0029] [Aspect 11] A wet wipes package as described in aspect 10, wherein the multiple wet wipes are arranged so that the top end of the bottom side wet wipe located on the bottom side and the bottom end of the top side wet wipe adjacent to the top side overlap each other, so that the top end of the bottom side wet wipe is located closer to the top than the bottom end of the top side wet wipe.

[0030] The above-mentioned wet wipes package tends to have a low tendency to take out multiple wet wipes and a predetermined take-out height, so that the user of the wet wipes can easily take out the required number of wet wipes and the next wet wipe.

[0031] [Aspect 12] Use of water-repellent cellulosic fibers to adjust the removability of wet wipes. In the above uses, the water repellent cellulosic fibers can adjust the removability of the wet wipes.

[0032] The nonwoven fabric for wet wipes (hereinafter may be simply referred to as "nonwoven fabric"), wet wipes, and packaging for wet wipes (hereinafter may be simply referred to as "packaging") according to the present disclosure are described in detail below.

[0033] [Nonwoven fabric] The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure is a nonwoven fabric for wet wipes and includes water-repellent cellulosic fibers. The water-repellent cellulosic fibers are cellulosic fibers that have water repellency, and once wetted, they can retain a certain amount of moisture inside the fibers and have a certain degree of swelling in water. Therefore, wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric containing water-repellent cellulosic fibers are less likely to have adjacent wet wipe portions stick together and are more likely to separate than wet wipes formed from nonwoven fabric containing hydrophobic fibers, etc. instead of water-repellent cellulosic fibers, and compared to wet wipes formed from nonwoven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulosic fibers, etc. instead of water-repellent cellulosic fibers.

[0034] In addition, since the water-repellent cellulosic fibers have a certain degree of swelling in water, wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric are more likely to retain medicinal solutions and have higher water retention than nonwoven fabrics containing hydrophobic fibers instead of the water-repellent cellulosic fibers.Furthermore, since the water-repellent cellulosic fibers are biodegradable, the nonwoven fabric, and in turn the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, are more likely to biodegrade, thereby reducing the environmental load.

[0035] Examples of the cellulosic fibers constituting the water-repellent cellulosic fibers include natural cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, refined cellulose fibers, and semi-synthetic cellulose fibers. Examples of the natural cellulose fibers include plant fibers such as pulp fibers, seed hair fibers (eg, cotton fibers), bast fibers (eg, hemp), leaf vein fibers (eg, Manila hemp), and fruit fibers (eg, palm).

[0036] The pulp fibers include those known in the art as pulp fibers, such as wood pulp fibers and non-wood pulp fibers. The wood pulp fibers include, for example, softwood pulp fibers and hardwood pulp fibers. The non-wood pulp fibers include, for example, straw pulp fibers, bagasse pulp fibers, reed pulp fibers, kenaf pulp fibers, mulberry pulp fibers, bamboo pulp fibers, hemp pulp fibers, cotton pulp fibers (e.g., cotton linters), and the like.

[0037] The cotton fibers include Hirsutum cotton fibers (eg, Upland cotton), Barbadense cotton fibers, Arboreum cotton fibers, and Helbaceum cotton fibers. The cotton fibers can also be organic cotton fibers, pre-organic cotton (trademark) fibers. Organic cotton fibre means cotton that is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

[0038] Examples of the regenerated cellulose fibers include rayon, for example, viscose rayon obtained from viscose, polynosic and modal, and cuprammonium rayon (also called "cupra") obtained from a cuprammonium salt solution of cellulose.

[0039] The above-mentioned refined cellulose fiber includes Lyocell, specifically, pulp, which is dissolved in an aqueous solution of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide to prepare a spinning dope (dope), and extruded into a dilute solution of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide to prepare fibers. The above-mentioned refined cellulose is commercially available, for example, under the name Tencel (trademark). The semi-synthetic fibers include semi-synthetic cellulose fibers, such as acetate fibers, for example, triacetate and diacetate fibers.

[0040] The water-repellent cellulose-based fiber can be formed by treating the above-mentioned cellulose-based fiber with a water repellent agent or the like according to the methods described in, for example, JP-A-2002-266241, JP-A-2003-20570, JP-A-2019-65443, JP-A-2022-58301, etc. Furthermore, examples of commercially available water-repellent cellulosic fibers include Ecorepellent (trade name, water-repellent viscose rayon) manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd. and Olea (trade name, water-repellent viscose rayon) manufactured by Kelheim Fibres GmbH.

[0041] The water repellency of the above water-repellent cellulosic fibers can be evaluated as follows in accordance with "6(1)Ka Sedimentation velocity" in the attached "Standards for medical gauze and medical absorbent cotton" of Yakushokuki-hatsu No. 0630001 "Regarding standards for medical gauze and medical absorbent cotton". A 10g sample obtained by opening fibers constituting a nonwoven fabric or fibers taken from wet wipes with a carding machine is evenly placed in a test basket made of 0.4mm diameter copper wire, 50mm in diameter, 80mm in depth, 20mm between wires, and weighing 3g. The basket is then laid horizontally and gently dropped into water 200mm deep from a height of 12mm above the water surface at a temperature of 24-26°C. The time it takes for the basket to sink below the water surface is the settling rate. For fibers that cannot be opened with a carding machine (e.g., short fiber length), 10g of the fiber can be placed directly in the test basket. Alternatively, if the textile product is in the form of a wet nonwoven fabric or air-laid nonwoven fabric, 10g of nonwoven fabric cut to a size of 1cm x 1cm can be placed in the test basket.

[0042] When the sedimentation rate is measured by the above method, for example, after 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, the sample absorbs water but does not sink below the water surface, and is preferably used as a water-repellent cellulosic fiber. After 1 minute, the sample does not sink and floats partially or entirely on the water surface, and is more preferably used as a water-repellent cellulosic fiber.

[0043] The water-repellent cellulosic fibers can be distinguished from hydrophilic cellulosic fibers by their degree of swelling in water. The water-repellent cellulosic fiber has a water swelling degree of preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more. The water-repellent cellulosic fiber also has a water swelling degree of preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably 60% by mass or less. This makes it difficult for wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to stick together, and makes it easier to separate the wet wipes.

[0044] The hydrophilic cellulosic fiber may have a higher degree of swelling in water than the water-repellent cellulosic fiber. The hydrophilic cellulosic fiber has a degree of swelling in water of, for example, preferably more than 60% by mass, more preferably more than 70% by mass, even more preferably more than 80% by mass, even more preferably 85% by mass or more, and even more preferably 90% by mass or more. The hydrophilic cellulosic fiber has a degree of swelling in water of, for example, preferably 300% by mass or less, more preferably 200% by mass or less, and even more preferably 150% by mass or less.

[0045] The water-repellent cellulosic fiber has a water swelling degree lower than that of a normal cellulosic fiber having no water repellency, such as a hydrophilic cellulosic fiber described below, by preferably at least 5% by mass, more preferably at least 10% by mass, even more preferably at least 15% by mass, even more preferably at least 20% by mass, and even more preferably at least 25% by mass, thereby making it difficult for wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to stick together and easier to separate.

[0046] In this disclosure, the water swelling degree of the fiber is measured in accordance with "8.26 Water swelling degree" of the "Test method for chemical fiber staples" of JIS L1015:2010, and applies to fibers other than rayon and cupra.

[0047] The water-repellent cellulosic fibers preferably have an average fiber length of 20 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and even more preferably 35 mm or more. The water-repellent cellulosic fibers preferably have an average fiber length of 80 mm or less, more preferably 60 mm or less, and even more preferably 50 mm or less. This makes it easier for the water-repellent cellulosic fibers to be entangled with other fibers, such as water-repellent cellulosic fibers and optionally hydrophilic cellulosic fibers, and tends to increase the strength of the nonwoven fabric and, ultimately, the wet wipes.

[0048] The water-repellent cellulosic fibers preferably have a fineness of 0.6 dtex or more, more preferably 1.0 dtex or more, and even more preferably 1.4 dtex or more. The water-repellent cellulosic fibers preferably have a fineness of 3.3 dtex or less, more preferably 2.5 dtex or less, and even more preferably 2.0 dtex or less. This makes it possible to suppress fiber clumps in the nonwoven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulosic fibers while maintaining the feel of the fabric.

[0049] In this disclosure, the average fiber length of fibers other than pulp fibers is measured in accordance with "A7.1.1 A method (standard method) for measuring the length of individual fibers on a graduated glass plate" in "A7.1 Measurement of fiber length" of Appendix A of JIS L 1015:2010. The above method is a test method equivalent to ISO 6989 published in 1981.

[0050] In this disclosure, average fiber length of pulp fibers means the weight-weighted average fiber length, L(w) value as measured by Kajaani FiberLab fiber properties (off-line) by Metso Automation.

[0051] The nonwoven fabric contains the water-repellent cellulosic fibers in a ratio of preferably more than 0% by mass, more preferably 4% by mass or more, even more preferably 6% by mass or more, even more preferably 8% by mass or more, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more. The nonwoven fabric contains the water-repellent cellulosic fibers in a ratio of preferably 100% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, even more preferably 60% by mass or less, even more preferably 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 35% by mass or less. This allows the nonwoven fabric to have a certain affinity for water, and in wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, wet wipes parts are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate.

[0052] The nonwoven fabric may further include hydrophilic cellulosic fibers. This allows the nonwoven fabric itself to retain the medicinal solution, and the wet wipes are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate. In addition, the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric are more likely to retain the medicinal solution, improving water retention. Furthermore, since the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers are biodegradable, the nonwoven fabric, and in turn the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, are more likely to biodegrade, reducing the environmental impact.

[0053] From the above viewpoint, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers in a ratio of preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, even more preferably 15% by mass or more, even more preferably 20% by mass or more, and even more preferably 25% by mass or more. The nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers in a ratio of preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 80% by mass or less, even more preferably 70% by mass or less, even more preferably 60% by mass or less, and even more preferably 50% by mass or less. Examples of the cellulosic fibers constituting the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers include those described above in relation to the water-repellent cellulosic fibers.

[0054] When the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers are not pulp fibers, the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers preferably have an average fiber length of 20 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or more, and even more preferably 35 mm or more. When the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers are not pulp fibers, the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers preferably have an average fiber length of 80 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less, and even more preferably 60 mm or less. This makes it easier for the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers to be entangled with each other, and the strength of the nonwoven fabric, and therefore the wet wipes, tends to be increased.

[0055] The hydrophilic cellulosic fibers preferably have a fineness of 0.3 dtex or more, more preferably 0.4 dtex or more, and even more preferably 0.6 dtex or more. The hydrophilic cellulosic fibers preferably have a fineness of 4.5 dtex or less, more preferably 4.0 dtex or less, and even more preferably 3.0 dtex or less. This makes it possible to suppress fiber clumps in the nonwoven fabric containing the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers while maintaining the feel of the fabric.

[0056] The nonwoven fabric can be composed of the water-repellent cellulosic fibers and the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers. The nonwoven fabric may contain, in addition to the water-repellent cellulosic fibers and hydrophilic cellulosic fibers, heat-fusible fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and the like, which will be described later.

[0057] The nonwoven fabric may further include heat-fusible fibers intended to be heat-fused in the nonwoven fabric. When the nonwoven fabric includes heat-fusible fibers, and heat-fusible fibers and heat-fusible fibers, and heat-fusible fibers and cellulosic fibers (water-repellent cellulosic fibers and hydrophilic cellulosic fibers), etc. are used, the strength of the nonwoven fabric and the wet strength of the wet wipes can be increased, and when the heat-fusible fibers are heat-fused to each other, the strength of the nonwoven fabric and the wet strength of the wet wipes can be further increased.

[0058] The above-mentioned heat-fusible fibers can be any fiber used as a heat-fusible fiber in the art, specifically, fibers containing a thermoplastic resin with a low melting point and a thermoplastic resin with a high melting point, and in order to fuse the heat-fusible fibers together, it is preferable to use a fiber containing a thermoplastic resin with a low melting point, such as a polyethylene resin or a low melting point polypropylene, at least on the surface. Examples of the above-mentioned heat-fusible fibers include single-component fibers of polyethylene resin; single-component fibers of polypropylene resin; core-sheath type composite synthetic fibers with a core of polyethylene terephthalate resin and a sheath of polyethylene resin; core-sheath type composite synthetic fibers with a core of polypropylene resin and a sheath of polyethylene resin; core-sheath type composite synthetic fibers with a core of high melting point polypropylene resin and a sheath of low melting point polypropylene resin; side-by-side type composite synthetic fibers made of polyethylene terephthalate resin and polyethylene resin; side-by-side type composite synthetic fibers made of polypropylene resin and polyethylene resin.

[0059] The heat-fusible fibers are preferably biodegradable, which makes the nonwoven fabric, and in turn the wet wipes, more likely to be biodegradable. Examples of the low-melting thermoplastic resin constituting the biodegradable heat-fusible fiber include polybutylene succinate, poly(hydroxybutyrate / hydroxyhexanoate), polycaprolactone, poly(caprolactone / butylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate / adipate), poly(butylene succinate / carbonate), poly(butylene adipate / terephthalate), polyethylene succinate, and polylactic acid.

[0060] Examples of the high melting point thermoplastic resin constituting the biodegradable heat-fusible fiber include polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyglycolic acid, and cellulose acetate.

[0061] When the nonwoven fabric contains the thermally adhesive fiber, the nonwoven fabric contains the thermally adhesive fiber at a ratio of preferably more than 0 mass%, more preferably 2 mass% or more, and even more preferably 5 mass% or more. When the nonwoven fabric contains the thermally adhesive fiber, the nonwoven fabric contains the thermally adhesive fiber at a ratio of preferably 30 mass% or less, more preferably 20 mass% or less, and even more preferably 15 mass% or less. As a result, wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric have excellent wet strength.

[0062] The nonwoven fabric may further include hydrophobic fibers that are not intended to be heat-sealed in the nonwoven fabric, thereby allowing wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to have bulk, resistance to collapse, etc. The hydrophobic fibers include, for example, those commonly used in the art, and are preferably synthetic fibers, including those containing a single component, such as a single fiber, or those containing multiple components, such as a bicomponent fiber.

[0063] Examples of the above components include polyolefin-based polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyester-based polymers such as terephthalate-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate, and polypentylene terephthalate; polyamide-based polymers such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6; acrylic-based polymers; polyacrylonitrile-based polymers; and modified versions thereof.

[0064] When the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fiber, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fiber at a ratio of preferably more than 0 mass%, more preferably 1 mass% or more, and even more preferably 2 mass% or more. When the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fiber, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fiber at a ratio of preferably 50 mass% or less, more preferably 40 mass% or less, and even more preferably 35 mass% or less. This allows wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to have bulk, resistance to collapse, etc.

[0065] The nonwoven fabric preferably has a density of 20 g / m 2 More preferably, 30 g / m 2 More preferably, 35 g / m 2 The nonwoven fabric preferably has a basis weight of 100 g / m 2 Less than 90g / m 2 Less than 80 g / m, more preferably 80 g / m 2 less than or equal to 70 g / m 2 The nonwoven fabric has a basis weight as follows: This makes it easier to ensure the ease of removal of wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric and the strength required for wiping or the like.

[0066] The nonwoven fabric may have a layered structure, for example, a two-layer structure, a three-layer structure, a four-layer structure, a five-layer structure, etc. (a structure of three or more layers may be referred to hereinafter as a "structure of three or more layers"). When the nonwoven fabric has a structure of three or more layers, the nonwoven fabric can be divided into a first surface layer and a second surface layer that form the surface of the nonwoven fabric, and one or more intermediate layers disposed between the first surface layer and the second surface layer.

[0067] When the nonwoven fabric has the three or more layer structure, the water-repellent cellulosic fibers are preferably contained in at least one of the first and second surface layers, and more preferably in both the first and second surface layers, so that in wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, the wet wipes portions are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to separate. The intermediate layer may contain the water-repellent cellulosic fibers, but from the viewpoint of making it easier to separate adjacent wet wipe portions, the intermediate layer does not have to contain the water-repellent cellulosic fibers.

[0068] When the nonwoven fabric has the three or more layer structure and further contains hydrophilic cellulosic fibers, the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers may be contained in any of the first surface layer, the intermediate layer, and the second surface layer, and are preferably contained in all of the first surface layer, the intermediate layer, and the second surface layer, which makes it easier to sufficiently impregnate wet wipes made of the nonwoven fabric with a medicinal solution.

[0069] When the nonwoven fabric has the three or more layer structure and further contains a thermal adhesive fiber, the thermal adhesive fiber can be contained in any of the first surface layer, the intermediate layer, and the second surface layer. The thermal adhesive fiber can be contained in at least the intermediate layer, and can be contained only in the intermediate layer. This allows the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to have excellent wet strength and to be less likely to be felt by users due to the stiffness of the thermal adhesive fiber. The heat-fusible fibers may be contained in the first and second surface layers, which makes it difficult for wet wipes made of the nonwoven fabric to lose their shape or become deformed, such as stretched, during wiping.

[0070] When the nonwoven fabric has a three or more layer structure, the first and second surface layers are preferably each made of cellulosic fibers, which makes it easier for the drug solution to be retained in the first and second surface layers, and improves the wet wipes' wiping properties. The cellulosic fibers include the water-repellent cellulosic fibers and, if desired, the hydrophilic cellulosic fibers.

[0071] When the nonwoven fabric has a three or more layer structure, the intermediate layer may further contain pulp fibers, which relatively reduces the amount of chemical solution on the surfaces of the wet wipes portions (the first and second surface layers), making it difficult for the wet wipes portions to stick together and easier to separate them.

[0072] The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure preferably has a water absorbency by the Klemm method of 60 mm or more, more preferably 65 mm or more, and even more preferably 70 mm or more. The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure also preferably has a water absorbency by the Klemm method of 110 mm or less, more preferably 105 mm or less, and even more preferably 100 mm or less. This makes it difficult for wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to stick to each other, and makes it easier to separate them.

[0073] In the present disclosure, the water absorbency by the Klemm method is measured in accordance with JIS P8141:2004 "Paper and paperboard-Testing method for water absorbency-Klemm method", and the differences from JIS P8141:2004 are as follows. -There are two types of test pieces: one whose longitudinal direction is the conveying direction of the nonwoven fabric during production (hereinafter referred to as "MD test pieces"), and one whose transverse direction is the conveying direction of the nonwoven fabric during production (hereinafter referred to as "CD test pieces"). - Change the test piece dimensions from "width 15±1mm" to "width 25±1mm." - The height to which the water rises will be changed from "10 minutes ± 10 seconds" to "5 minutes ± 10 seconds." - The average value of the Klemm water absorbency of the MD test specimen and the Klemm water absorbency of the CD test specimen is adopted as the Klemm water absorbency.

[0074] The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure has a water absorption of preferably 13.5 g / g or more, more preferably 14.0 g / g or more, even more preferably 14.5 g / g or more, and even more preferably 15.0 g / g or more. The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure also has a water absorption of preferably 20.0 g / g or less, more preferably 19.0 g / g or less, even more preferably 18.0 g / g or less, and even more preferably 17.0 g / g or less. This allows wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to have excellent wiping properties.

[0075] The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure has a water retention capacity of preferably 10.0 g / g or more, more preferably 10.3 g / g or more, even more preferably 10.6 g / g or more, and even more preferably 10.9 g / g or more. The nonwoven fabric according to the present disclosure also has a water retention capacity of preferably 16.0 g / g or less, more preferably 15.0 g / g or less, even more preferably 14.0 g / g or less, and even more preferably 13.0 g / g or less. This allows wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric to have excellent wiping properties.

[0076] In this disclosure, water absorption and water retention are measured as follows. (1) A sample is prepared by cutting the nonwoven fabric into a size of 60 mm x 140 mm (the conveying direction during production x the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction), and the mass of the sample: m0 (g) is measured. (2) Pour ion-exchanged water into a plastic container, place a sample on a wire mesh whose mass: m1 (g) has been measured, and immerse the sample together with the wire mesh in the ion-exchanged water. (3) After 3 minutes of immersion, the sample together with the wire mesh is removed from the ion-exchanged water and left to stand for 5 minutes to drain. (4) After leaving it to stand for 5 minutes, measure the total mass of the sample and wire mesh: m2 (g). (5) The sample containing ion-exchanged water is held with tweezers without applying pressure, and placed on a metal base measuring 60 mm x 140 mm or more, taking care not to wrinkle the sample.

[0077] (6) Place a 840 g weight on the sample so that the load is evenly distributed over the entire sample, and leave it for 3 minutes. (7) After leaving the sample to stand for 3 minutes, measure the mass of the sample: m3 (g). (8) Water absorption: A (g / g) is calculated using the following formula: A(g / g)=(m2-m1-m0) / m0 It is calculated as follows. (9) Water retention capacity: R (g / g) is calculated using the following formula: R(g / g)=(m3-m0) / m0 It is calculated as follows. The above water absorption and water retention are measured in a thermostatic chamber at 25°C ± 5°C.

[0078] As the nonwoven fabric, any nonwoven fabric (e.g., spunlace nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, point-bond nonwoven fabric, etc.) manufactured by a known method such as a dry method, a wet method, a water jet method, a spunbond method, an airlaid method, a needle punch method, or a felt method can be used, and a spunlace nonwoven fabric having high wet strength is preferred.

[0079] The nonwoven fabric can be produced by a method known in the art. When the nonwoven fabric is a spunlace nonwoven fabric, for example, a dry spunlace nonwoven fabric, it can be produced by, for example, a dry spunlace method in which a single-layer or multi-layer web constituting the nonwoven fabric, formed by a dry process, is placed on a support and a high-pressure water jet is sprayed onto the web from a nozzle. In addition, when the nonwoven fabric contains heat-fusible fibers, a high-pressure water stream may be sprayed onto the web, and then the web (nonwoven fabric) may be heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the low-melting thermoplastic resin that constitutes the heat-fusible fibers to heat-fusible the heat-fusible fibers.

[0080] [Wet wipes and wet wipes packaging] The wet wipes according to the present disclosure include a nonwoven fabric sheet made of the nonwoven fabric described above and a medicinal solution. The nonwoven fabric sheet is formed by cutting the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric to a desired size.

[0081] As the above-mentioned chemical solution, any chemical solution used in the art can be used without any restrictions. The chemical solution may contain, for example, an antibacterial agent, a surfactant, water, a hydrophilic organic solvent (eg, ethanol), and the like. In the wet wipes, the ratio (impregnation rate) of the chemical solution impregnated into the nonwoven fabric can be that commonly used in the art, and the impregnation rate (mass%) [=100×(mass of chemical solution) / (mass of nonwoven fabric)] is, for example, 100 mass% or more, more preferably 200 mass% or more, and even more preferably 250 mass% or more. The ratio (impregnation rate) of the chemical solution is preferably 700 mass% or less, more preferably 600 mass% or less, even more preferably 550 mass% or less, and even more preferably 500 mass% or less.

[0082] The wet wipes packaging includes the wet wipes and a packaging body, and the wet wipes are stored in the packaging body. Examples of the packaging body include a packaging sheet, a packaging container, and the like. When the packaging body is a packaging sheet, in the wet wipes packaging, one or more wet wipes are stored in the packaging sheet. When the packaging contains one wet wipe, the wet wipe is folded. When the packaging contains multiple wet wipes, the multiple wet wipes may or may not be folded.

[0083] When the packaging body is a packaging container, a plurality of wet wipes are stored in the packaging container in the wet wipes packaging. The packaging container may have a top having an opening and a bottom, and the wet wipes may be stacked in a direction from the bottom to the top.

[0084] Furthermore, among the multiple wet wipes, a portion of the bottom-side wet wipe located on the bottom side and a portion of the top-side wet wipe adjacent to the top side thereof may be arranged so as to overlap each other, with the portion of the bottom-side wet wipe being located closer to the top than the portion of the top-side wet wipe.

[0085] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a wet wipes packaging 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "first embodiment"), and FIG. 2 is an end view of the wet wipes packaging 1 at the II-II end shown in FIG. 1. The wet wipes package 1 shown in Figure 1 is a pop-up type wet wipes package, in which a plurality of wet wipes (not shown) are stored inside a package body 3 having a top T with an opening 5 and a bottom B so that they can be removed sequentially. The packaging body 3 has a seal material 7 that covers the opening 5 .

[0086] The packaging body 3 is bag-shaped, and when the opening 5 is sealed with the sealing material 7, the wet wipes inside the packaging body 3 can be hermetically sealed, suppressing evaporation of the medicine. Each wet wipe can be taken out through the opening 5. The sealing material 7 has an adhesive applied to the surface that contacts the packaging body 3 in order to repeatedly seal the wet wipes inside the packaging body 3.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 2, inside the packaging body 3, multiple wet wipes 9 are stacked in a direction from the top T to the bottom B. Each of the multiple wet wipes 9 has an outward three-fold (approximately Z-shaped) folding structure having a first fold line and a second fold line. The multiple wet wipes 9 are stacked so that adjacent wet wipes 9 in the thickness direction (direction from the top T to the bottom B) face the same direction (so that the first fold lines overlap each other in the thickness direction, and so that the second fold lines overlap each other in the thickness direction).

[0088] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a plurality of wet wipes 9 contained in the wet wipes package 1 shown in FIG. Wet wipes 9', wet wipes 9'', and wet wipes 9''' are stacked in order from the top T to the bottom B. With respect to the relationship between wet wipes 9' and wet wipes 9'', the top end 9''T of wet wipe 9'' (bottom side wet wipe) located on the bottom B side and the bottom end 9'B of wet wipe 9' (top side wet wipe) adjacent to the top T side overlap each other such that the top end 9''T of wet wipe 9'' (bottom side wet wipe) is located closer to the top T than the bottom end 9'B of wet wipe 9' (top side wet wipe).

[0089] Similarly, in Figure 3, the relationship between wet wipes 9'' and 9''' is such that the top end 9'''T of wet wipe 9'' (bottom wet wipe) located on the bottom B side and the bottom end 9''B of wet wipe 9'' (top wet wipe) adjacent to it on the top T side overlap each other so that the top end 9'''T of wet wipe 9''' (bottom wet wipe) is located closer to the top T than the bottom end 9''B of wet wipe 9'' (top wet wipe).

[0090] By stacking multiple wet wipes 9 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the wet wipe 9' is removed, a portion of the wet wipe 9'' (mainly 9''T) is pulled out and protrudes from the packaging body 3, making it easier to remove the wet wipe 9'' for next use.

[0091] Furthermore, if the bottom end 9'B of the wet wipe 9' and the top end 9''T of the wet wipe 9'' are connected by the water film of chemical solution formed between the wet wipes, there may be a tendency for multiple wet wipes 9'' to be removed together when the wet wipe 9' is removed. In the wet wipes package 1 according to the first embodiment, the wet wipes 9 are specific wet wipes, and therefore have excellent ease of being taken out one by one.

[0092] Fig. 4 is an end view of a wet wipes package 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "second embodiment"), which corresponds to the end view II-II of Fig. 1. In Fig. 4, each of the multiple wet wipes 9 has a folded structure folded in four (approximately Σ-shaped) at three fold lines. The multiple wet wipes 9 are stacked such that the Σ-shaped portions of adjacent wet wipes 9 in the thickness direction (direction from the top T to the bottom B) face in opposite directions.

[0093] In the wet wipes packaging 1 of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the top end (not shown) of the bottom side wet wipe (not shown) located on the bottom side and the bottom end (not shown) of the top side wet wipe (not shown) adjacent to the top side overlap each other so that the top end of the bottom side wet wipe is located closer to the top than the bottom end of the top side wet wipe. In the wet wipes package 1 according to the second embodiment, the wet wipes 9 are specific wet wipes, and therefore have excellent ease of being taken out one by one. EXAMPLES

[0094] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. [Production Example 1] Nonwoven fabric No. 1 having a first surface layer, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer and a second surface layer in that order was formed by a dry spunlace method. Each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer contained 30% by mass of water-repellent rayon fiber (Ecorepellent, manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., fineness: 1.7 dtex, average fiber length: 40 mm) and 70% by mass of hydrophilic rayon fiber (Corona, manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., fineness: 1.44 dtex, average fiber length: 44 mm).

[0095] The first intermediate layer contained 85% by mass of pulp fiber (softwood pulp fiber) and 15% by mass of heat-fusible fiber (NBF(KK)-PL, manufactured by Daiwabo Boseki Co., Ltd., composite fiber with a core of polylactic acid and a sheath of polybutylene succinate, fineness: 2.40 dtex, average fiber length: 5.0 mm). The second intermediate layer contained 100% by mass of hydrophilic rayon fiber (Corona, manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., fineness: 1.44 dtex, average fiber length: 44 mm).

[0096] Nonwoven fabric No. 1 was cut to a size of 200 x 140 mm (removal direction x width direction), and as shown in the second embodiment, 50 sheets of the cut nonwoven fabric No. 1 were stacked, the stack of 50 sheets was packaged in a packaging body, and then the packaging body was filled with a medicinal solution in an amount of 300% by mass of the stack of 50 sheets to form wet wipes packaging body No. 1.

[0097] [Production Example 2] Nonwoven fabric No. 2 and wet wipes package No. 2 were formed in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that the compositions of the first surface layer and the second surface layer were changed as shown in Table 1. [Production Example 3] Nonwoven fabric No. 3 and wet wipes package No. 3 were formed in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that the compositions of the first surface layer and the second surface layer were changed as shown in Table 1.

[0098] [Reference production example 1] Nonwoven fabric No. 4 and wet wipes package No. 4 were formed in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that the compositions of the first surface layer and the second surface layer were changed as shown in Table 1. [Comparative Manufacturing Example 1] Except for changing the composition of the first surface layer and the second surface layer as shown in Table 2, specifically, for changing the "water-repellent rayon fiber" in the first surface layer and the second surface layer to "hydrophobic fiber (polyethylene terephthalate fiber, fineness: 1.45 dtex, average fiber length: 38 mm)", nonwoven fabric No. 5 and wet wipes packaging body No. 5 were formed in the same manner as in Production Example 1.

[0099] [Table 1]

[0100] [Table 2]

[0101] [Examples 1 to 3, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2] [Water absorption by the Klemm method] For Nonwoven Fabrics No. 1 to No. 5, the water absorbency, water absorption amount, and water retention amount were measured by the Klemm method according to the method described in this specification. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0102] The wet wipes packages No. 1 to No. 5 were each evaluated for the ability to take out multiple sheets and the take-out height. The test methods were as follows. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0103] [Multiple pieces can be taken out] Wet wipes are removed one by one from the package, and when the nth wet wipe (1, 2, ..., n, ..., 50 from the top) is removed, the number of wet wipes (wet wipes that are indirectly removed "in their entirety") that are pulled and removed in their entirety along with the nth wet wipe (the wet wipe that is removed directly) is counted.

[0104] For example, when the nth wet wipe is removed, if the (n+1)th wet wipe beneath it is pulled by the nth wet wipe and removed in its entirety, the wet wipe that was indirectly removed "in its entirety" is counted as one wet wipe.

[0105] In addition, when the nth wet wipe is removed, if the (n+1)th wet wipe one sheet below is pulled by the nth wet wipe and removed in its entirety, and the (n+2)th wet wipe two sheets below is pulled by the (n+1)th wet wipe and removed in its entirety, the wet wipes that are indirectly removed "in their entirety" are counted as two wet wipes. The experiment is continued until all 50 wet wipes are removed, and the total number of wet wipes that are indirectly removed "in whole": m is counted and regarded as the multiple-wipe removal property (pieces).

[0106] [Removal height] Wet wipes are removed one by one from the package. When the nth wet wipe (1, 2, ..., n, ..., 50 from the top) is removed, the removed length (the length from the edge of the wet wipe to the opening) of the wet wipe that is pulled together with the nth wet wipe (the wet wipe that is removed directly) and part of it is removed together with it (the wet wipe that is "partially" removed indirectly) is measured, and the total average value is the removal height. In addition, for purposes of measuring the removal height, any wet wipes that are indirectly removed "in their entirety" are ignored.

[0107] [Table 3] [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 Wet wipes packaging 3 Packaging body 5 Opening 7. Sealing material 9. Wet Wipes

Claims

1. A nonwoven fabric for wet wipes, comprising: The nonwoven fabric comprises water-repellent cellulosic fibers. A nonwoven fabric characterized by the above.

2. 2. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a water absorbency according to the Klemm method of 60 to 110 mm.

3. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabric contains 10 to 35% by mass of the water-repellent cellulosic fibers.

4. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the water-repellent cellulosic fibers have a water swelling degree of 10 to 80% by mass.

5. The nonwoven fabric includes a first surface layer and a second surface layer constituting a surface of the nonwoven fabric, and an intermediate layer disposed between the first surface layer and the second surface layer, each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer includes the water-repellent cellulosic fiber; The intermediate layer includes a heat-fusible fiber. The nonwoven fabric of claim 1.

6. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 5 , wherein the thermally adhesive fibers include biodegradable thermally adhesive fibers.

7. 6. The nonwoven fabric of claim 5, wherein each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer is comprised of cellulosic fibers.

8. The nonwoven fabric of claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer further comprises pulp fibers.

9. A wet wipe comprising a nonwoven fabric sheet made of the nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a medicinal solution.

10. A wet wipes package, comprising: a plurality of wet wipes housed inside a package body having a top portion with an opening and a bottom portion, At least a portion of the plurality of wet wipes is composed of the wet wipe according to claim 9; The plurality of wet wipes are stacked in a direction from the bottom to the top. A package for wet wipes comprising:

11. The wet wipes package of claim 10, wherein the multiple wet wipes are arranged so that the top end of a bottom-side wet wipe located on the bottom side and the bottom end of a top-side wet wipe adjacent to the top side thereof overlap each other, such that the top end of the bottom-side wet wipe is located closer to the top than the bottom end of the top-side wet wipe.

12. Use of water-repellent cellulosic fibers to adjust the removability of wet wipes.

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