Inner cotton, inner cotton evaluation method, and stuffed product

Abstract

To provide an inner cotton having soft texture resembling feathers and repulsive property, and also to provide an inner cotton evaluation method and a stuffed product.SOLUTION: An inner cotton is formed of polytrimethylene terephthalate and includes modified cross-section short fibers having two to twelve fin parts protruding radially and polyester short fibers consisting of a plurality of components and / or polyester short fibers consisting of a single component having spiral or Ω-shaped crimps.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to batting having a soft texture and resilience similar to feathers, a method for evaluating the batting, and a stuffed product.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, batting, also referred to as filling cotton, has been proposed in various forms, such as those using profiled fibers with irregular cross-sections or hollow fibers (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, it has not been satisfactory in terms of having a soft texture similar to feathers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide batting having a soft texture and resilience similar to feathers, a method for evaluating the batting, and a stuffed product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above problems, the present inventor has completed the present invention. Thus, the following invention is provided.

[0006] 1. Batting characterized by comprising profiled short fibers made of polytrimethylene terephthalate and having 2 to 12 radially protruding fin portions, polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components, and / or polyester short fibers composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp. 2. The single fiber fineness of the polyester staple fiber composed of multiple components and / or the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-type crimp is smaller than that of the profiled cross-section staple fiber, and the batting according to 1 above. 3. The batting according to 1 or 2 above, wherein the polyester staple fiber composed of multiple components is a side-by-side type or eccentric core-sheath type composite fiber having at least one component of a polytrimethylene terephthalate component. 4. The batting according to any one of 1 to 3 above, wherein the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-type crimp is a hollow polyester staple fiber. 5. The batting according to 4 above, wherein the hollow polyester staple fiber is a porous hollow staple fiber. 6. In a mini futon filled with 4.75 g of batting in a 10 cm square futon fabric, the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when applying a load under compression conditions of an initial load of 0.5 N and a speed of 500 mm / min is 3.90 or less, and the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when removing the load from 8 N at the same speed is -10.0 or more. The batting is characterized by this. 7. A method for evaluating batting, characterized by measuring the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when applying a load under compression conditions of an initial load of 0.5 N and a speed of 500 mm / min, and the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when removing the load from 8 N at the same speed, in a mini futon filled with 4.75 g of batting in a 10 cm square futon fabric. 8. A stuffed product using the batting according to any one of 1 to 6 above.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a batting, a method for evaluating batting, and a stuffed product having a soft texture and resilience similar to feathers can be obtained.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. First, the batting of the present invention is composed of polytrimethylene terephthalate and includes profiled cross-section short fibers having 2 to 12 fins protruding radially, polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components, and / or polyester short fibers composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp. By itself, the profiled cross-section short fibers may have low web entanglement strength and may not be able to form a card web.

[0009] Here, in the single fiber cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the fiber axis of the profiled cross-section short fiber, it has a core portion and a fin portion, and the fin portion protruding radially from the core portion. Usually, by cooling the yarn immediately after being discharged from the spinneret with an asymmetric air flow in the cross-sectional direction, cross-sectional anisotropy is generated in the yarn, and then the yarn is heat-treated to develop a spiral or Ω-shaped three-dimensional crimp. The effect of developing a three-dimensional crimp by so-called anisotropic cooling is difficult to be manifested unless the fiber cross-sectional shape has a hollow portion. However, in the profiled cross-section short fiber, in the single fiber cross-section orthogonal to the fiber axis, even if it is not hollow, in the fiber having a fin portion protruding radially from the core portion, the fin portion increases the single fiber surface area, so the shrinkage difference between the anisotropically cooled surface and the opposite surface becomes large, and a three-dimensional crimp is likely to develop. The three-dimensional crimp can adjust the crimp ratio according to the cooling conditions. In the profiled cross-section short fiber with a reduced crimp ratio under conditions such as reducing the wind speed of the air flow or increasing the temperature of the air flow, excellent softness and a moderate elastic texture can be obtained due to the voids formed within and between the single fibers.

[0010] Also, the shape of such a core portion may be any of square, round, triangular, polygonal, etc. Further, in order to facilitate the manifestation of the above-described crimp and to increase the degree of profile, it is more preferable that the core portion is hollow. The shape of such a core portion may be any of square hollow, round hollow, triangular hollow, polygonal hollow, porous hollow, etc. In addition, in the hollow core portion, it is preferable that no hollow cracking has occurred in order to obtain excellent bulkiness and compression recovery.

[0011] Next, the number of fin portions protruding radially from such a core portion is importantly 2 to 12 in order to obtain excellent fibrillation property. Preferably it is 6 to 12, and particularly preferably 8 to 10. When the number of the fin portions is 5 or less, there is a possibility that excellent fibrillation property cannot be obtained. Further, when such fin portions extend in the fiber length direction (fiber axis direction), they are excellent in fibrillation property based on anti-convergence property, and bulkiness and resilience are likely to be obtained, which is preferable.

[0012] In the case of the short fiber, when the major axis length of the outermost periphery of the single fiber cross section orthogonal to the fiber axis of the single fiber is R and the major axis length of the core portion is r as shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-2020-70529, the degree of irregularity defined by the following formula is preferably 1.2 to 3.0. Degree of irregularity = R / r R: Diameter of a circle circumscribing a cross section orthogonal to the single fiber axis r: Diameter of the core portion of a cross section orthogonal to the single fiber axis

[0013] The diameter of the core portion means, in the case where the core portion in the fiber cross-sectional shape as listed above is circular, the diameter of the circle, in the case of a polygon such as a triangle or more, the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the polygon, and in the case of an elliptical shape, the length of the major axis is expressed as the diameter.

[0014] When the degree of irregularity is less than 1.2, there is a possibility that sufficient bulkiness and fibrillation property of the voids between fibers cannot be obtained. Further, when the degree of irregularity is greater than 3.0, when compressed, the fin portions may break or bend, and the performance may be impaired.

[0015] In order to produce a single fiber having a fiber cross-sectional shape having the degree of irregularity as described above, as described in JP-A-2020-70529, the shape of the polymer discharge portion (the discharge portion of the spinneret) at the time of spinning may be appropriately set. Further, in the spinning stage, cooling air may be blown onto the yarn at a position below the die surface to impart a spiral type crimp by anisotropic cooling. Further, after stretching the undrawn yarn obtained by the anisotropic cooling, a planar Ω-type crimp may be imparted by applying it to a push-in type crimper.

[0016] In the profiled cross-section short fibers, the fineness of the single fiber is preferably 4.0 dtex or more (more preferably 4.0 to 12.0 dtex). In the profiled cross-section short fibers, if the number of crimps is too small, the bulkiness will be low. On the other hand, if it is too large, the card passing property tends to decrease. Therefore, the number of crimps is preferably in the range of 3 to 20 per inch (25.4 mm), and more preferably in the range of 5 to 15 per inch (25.4 mm).

[0017] Also, if the crimp ratio is too low, the entanglement between fibers becomes weak, resulting in a decrease in card passing property, spinning property, and bulkiness. On the other hand, if the crimp ratio is too high, the entanglement between fibers becomes too strong, leading to a decrease in the fiber opening property. Therefore, the crimp ratio is preferably in the range of 6 to 50%, and more preferably in the range of 7 to 40%. To obtain fibers having such crimp characteristics, it can be achieved by adjusting the cooling conditions in the spinning process.

[0018] In the profiled cross-section short fibers, when the fiber length is too short, the fiber entanglement property is poor and it is difficult to obtain bulkiness. On the other hand, when the fiber length is too long, there is a risk that the process passing property, including the fiber opening process (such as roller card), will be poor. Therefore, as the fiber form, in order to obtain excellent bulkiness, the fiber length is preferably in the range of 20 to 100 mm. When making flocked cotton by blowing with air, the range of 20 to 60 mm is particularly preferred.

[0019] As the type of polymer for forming the profiled cross-section short fibers, polytrimethylene terephthalate (also referred to as PTT) is used. As PTT, it is preferable that it is a PTT homopolymer, or a copolymerized PTT in which 90 mol% or more is PTT and 10 mol% or less contains other ester repeating units, or a polymer in which 10 mass% or less of polymers other than PTT are kneaded. Representative examples of copolymerization components include aromatic dicarboxylic acids typified by isophthalic acid and 5-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids typified by adipic acid and itaconic acid, and hydroxycarboxylic acids such as hydroxybenzoic acid. Further, examples of the glycol component include ethylene glycol, butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like. A plurality of these may be copolymerized.

[0020] Such PTT may be PTT obtained by material recycling or chemical recycling, or PTT obtained by using monomer components obtained from biomass, that is, substances derived from living organisms. In the PTT, within a range not impairing the object of the present invention, if necessary, a micropore-forming agent, a cationic dye-dyeable agent, an anti-coloring agent, a heat stabilizer, a fluorescent brightening agent, a matting agent, a coloring agent, a moisture absorbent, and inorganic fine particles may be contained singly or in combination of two or more.

[0021] The profiled cross-section short fibers are spun, for example, using PTT having an intrinsic viscosity (measured at 35°C using orthochlorophenol as a solvent) of 0.50 to 1.20 dL / g and a die having a discharge shape schematically shown in FIG. 5 of JP-A-2020-70529. Then, preferably, anisotropic cooling is performed by blowing a cooling air flow having a flow velocity of 0.4 m / second or more from one side of the yarn in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the yarn at an angle within a range of ±20 degrees with respect to the die surface, to obtain an undrawn yarn having a high degree of cross-sectional anisotropy in birefringence.

[0022] Next, the undrawn yarns are bundled, drawn, and then heat-treated in a relaxed state to obtain PTT fibers having a spiral three-dimensional crimp that spontaneously appears. Also, when passing through a push-in type crimper between drawing and heat treatment, PTT fibers having a planar Ω-shaped crimp can be obtained. At this time, it is preferable to separate the single fibers sufficiently from each other before performing the relaxation heat treatment. Due to the effect of the fin portion in the present invention, since the fibers are very easily fibrillated, by sufficiently fibrillating immediately before performing the relaxation heat treatment, a high-degree spiral three-dimensional crimp or Ω-shaped crimp can be expressed.

[0023] The method of fibrillating the fibers is not particularly limited, but examples thereof preferably include a method of passing the fiber bundle through a cylindrical or rectangular ejector and fibrillating it by an air flow in the ejector, a method of fibrillating by blowing an air flow discharged from an air ejection hole to the side of the fiber bundle, a method of pressing the fiber bundle against a cylindrical or prismatic bar and squeezing it to fibrillate, a method of fibrillating by applying a vibrating cylindrical or prismatic bar to the fiber bundle, and further a method of combining these methods.

[0024] Further, the fibrillated fiber bundle is placed in a relaxed state on a conveyor made of a punching plate or a metal net and dried and heat-treated by blowing hot air with a hot air circulation type continuous dryer. By this heat treatment, a spiral type three-dimensional crimp appears. On the other hand, when obtaining an Ω-shaped crimp, the fibrillating step as described above may or may not be present, but it is preferable in terms of facilitating the appearance of the crimp that the density of the fiber bundle during heat treatment is small.

[0025] In addition, in the case of the profiled cross-section short fibers, if one or more agents selected from the group consisting of an antibacterial agent, an insect repellent, a water repellent, a moisture absorbent, an antistatic agent, a flame retardant, and a deodorant adhere to the fiber surface, the effect of increasing the fiber surface area by the fins makes it easier to exhibit the functions of these agents, which is preferable. The oil agent may contain a lubricant such as a fatty acid ester, a polyhydric alcohol ester, an ether ester, a polyether, a silicone-based compound, or a mineral oil, an antistatic agent, a surfactant, a bundling agent, a rust preventive agent, a preservative, or an antioxidant. In particular, an oil agent containing a silicone-based compound is preferable in terms of excellent smoothness and increased bulkiness and resilience.

[0026] The batting of the present invention includes not only the profiled cross-section short fibers but also polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components other than the profiled cross-section short fibers and / or polyester short fibers composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp. Since the polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components have a spiral crimp, the batting can have both a soft texture and resilience, which are characteristics of feathers. Even in the case of polyester short fibers composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp, a batting with a similar feathery texture can be obtained by balancing the fineness and the crimp ratio. By including both polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components and polyester short fibers composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp in the batting, it is suitable to impart functionality and adjust the texture and resilience of the feathery feel.

[0027] Here, as the polyester staple fiber composed of multiple components, composite fibers in which two components are laminated in a side-by-side type or an eccentric core-sheath type are preferable. In that case, examples of the two components include combinations such as polyester / polyester and polyester / nylon. More specifically, combinations such as polytrimethylene terephthalate / polytrimethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate / polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate / polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate / polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate / polyethylene terephthalate are preferable. At that time, it is preferable to make the intrinsic viscosities different from each other. Among them, it is preferable that it is a side-by-side type or an eccentric core-sheath type composite fiber having at least one component of a polytrimethylene terephthalate component.

[0028] Regarding the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-type crimp, it is the same as the explanation for the anisotropic cooling of the profiled cross-section staple fiber, and a known one in which cooling air is blown onto the yarn at a position below the die surface at the spinning stage may be used. At that time, the cross-sectional shape of the fiber is not particularly limited, such as round solid, round hollow, triangular hollow, and porous hollow.

[0029] The polyester staple fiber composed of the above-mentioned multiple components and / or the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-type crimp may contain additives such as antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, heat stabilizers, flame retardants, titanium oxide, colorants, and inert fine particles.

[0030] In the polyester staple fiber composed of the above-mentioned multiple components and / or the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-type crimp, it is preferable that the fineness of the single fiber is smaller than that of the profiled cross-section staple fiber. Specifically, it is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 3.8 dtex.

[0031] In addition, in the polyester staple fiber composed of the plurality of components and / or the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp, the crimp ratio, the number of crimps, and the fiber length are preferably in the same ranges as those of the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber. Also, the agent adhering to the fiber surface is preferably in the same range as that of the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber.

[0032] Here, as the weight ratio between the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber and the polyester staple fiber composed of the plurality of components and / or the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp, it is preferably in the range of 20:80 to 80:20 for the former: the latter.

[0033] In the batting of the present invention, examples of its embodiments include 1. a combination of a profiled cross-section staple fiber and a polyester staple fiber composed of a plurality of components, 2. a combination of a profiled cross-section staple fiber and a polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp (excluding the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber), 3. a combination of a profiled cross-section staple fiber, a polyester staple fiber composed of a plurality of components, and a polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp (excluding the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber), and further, other fibers may be included.

[0034] Here, as other fibers, it may be configured by mixing with hollow polyester staple fibers, round solid polyester staple fibers, profiled polyester staple fibers, etc., other than the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber. In that case, in these other fibers, the crimp ratio, the number of crimps, and the fiber length are preferably in the same ranges as those of the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber. Also, the agent adhering to the fiber surface is preferably in the same range as that of the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber. It is preferable that the weight of the other fibers is 70% by weight or less based on the batting.

[0035] The batting of the present invention includes the above-mentioned profiled cross-section staple fiber having fin portions protruding radially from the core portion, and further includes the spiral crimp of the polyester staple fiber composed of a plurality of components and / or the polyester staple fiber composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp, thereby having a soft texture similar to that of feathers and bulk recovery properties. In the batting of the present invention, the fibrillation method is not particularly limited, and a general opener (air fibrillation machine with spike rollers) or carding (mechanical fibrillation) may be used.

[0036] Next, the stuffing product of the present invention contains the above-mentioned batting. Examples include futons, pillows, cushion structures, etc. Usually, these fiber products are composed of the above-mentioned batting and the side fabric. At this time, as the fabric constituting the side fabric, an ordinary woven or knitted fabric composed of fibers made of polyester, cotton, etc. as described above may be used. Since the stuffing product of the present invention contains the above-mentioned batting, it has a soft texture similar to that of feathers. Also, as a stuffing product, clothing products such as a cold-proof top in which batting is stuffed between fabrics like a down jacket are also preferable examples of the present invention.

[0037] Next, according to the present invention, in a mini futon filled with 4.75 g of batting in a futon fabric made of a 10 cm square woven fabric, the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when applying a load under compression conditions of an initial load of 0.5 N and a speed of 500 mm / min (all of a1 to a6 below) is 3.90 or less, and the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when removing the load from 8 N at the same speed (all of b1 to b3 below) is -10.0 or more (the absolute value is small and close to zero). There is provided a batting characterized by this.

[0038] Here, the created mini futon is tested using the test apparatus described in JIS K6400-2. The initial thickness measurement load is 0.5 N, the speed is 500 mm / min, and the pre-compression is 0 times. The apparatus operation is carried out, and after continuously measuring the stress over time, the obtained data is divided into the loading process and the unloading process parts. For the loading process, assuming that the time for grasping the mini futon during handling is within 2.0 seconds, the data from the time point when pressure is generated from the mini futon to 2.0 seconds is used for evaluation. The rate of change of stress (stress change amount (N) / 0.3) is calculated every 0.30 seconds from the data within 2.0 seconds to obtain a1 to a6. Then, the maximum value is calculated from a1 to a6, and the total value and average value are calculated from a1 to a3. Also, the unloading process is the process of releasing the grasp from the state of grasping the mini futon. The initial load is 8 N, the operation time for releasing the grasp from there is 1.0 second, and the stress data for 1.0 second from the state where the stress from the mini futon is 8 N is used for evaluation. The rate of change of stress is calculated every 0.30 seconds from the data within 1.0 second to obtain b1 to b3, the maximum value is calculated, and the total value and average value are calculated from b1 and b2.

[0039] Such batting includes the above-mentioned polytrimethylene terephthalate, and is characterized by including profiled cross-section short fibers having 2 to 12 radially protruding fin portions, polyester short fibers composed of multiple components, and / or polyester short fibers composed of a single component having a spiral or Ω-type crimp.

[0040] Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for evaluating batting, which comprises stuffing 4.75 g of batting into a futon fabric made of a fabric of 10 cm in length and width, and measuring the rate of change of stress with respect to the dynamic time when applying a load under compression conditions of an initial load of 0.5 N and a speed of 500 mm / min, and the rate of change of stress with respect to the dynamic time when unloading from a load of 8 N at the same speed. According to such an evaluation method, it is possible to determine whether it has a soft texture similar to that of feathers.

Example

[0041] Next, examples and comparative examples of the present invention will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Each measurement item during the implementation was measured by the following method.

[0042] (1) Denier It was measured by the method described in JIS L1015-2005 8.5.1 Method A. Count 300 fibers as a set, weigh their mass, and obtain the apparent denier. From this apparent denier and the equilibrium moisture regain measured separately, the true denier is calculated by the following formula. The average value of the true denier for 5 times was calculated. F = [(100 + R0) / (100 + R C )] × D F: True denier D: Apparent denier R0: Official moisture regain (%) (value specified in Japanese Industrial Standard JIS L0105 4.1) R C : Equilibrium moisture regain (%)

[0043] (2) Fiber length It was measured by the method described in JIS L1015-2005 8.4.1 Method A.

[0044] (3) Crimp number, crimp ratio It was measured by the method described in JIS L1015-2005 8.12.1.

[0045] (4) Areal density It was measured according to JIS L1096-2010.

[0046] (5) Degree of irregularity The cross-sectional shape of the single fiber perpendicular to the fiber axis was observed with an SEM (scanning electron microscope), and calculated from the observed image by the following formula. Degree of irregularity = R / r R: Diameter of the circumscribed circle of the cross-section perpendicular to the single fiber axis r: Diameter of the core part of the cross-section perpendicular to the single fiber axis

[0047] (6) Mattress fabric and prototype mini-mattress The mini futon was filled with blended cotton and / or opened middle cotton as required for the futon fabric. The filling amount was 4.75 g of middle cotton in order to obtain a 10 cm square mini futon equivalent to a single futon (150×210 cm size, filled with 1.5 kg of middle cotton) filled with ordinary synthetic middle cotton. In the case of a feather futon, 3.8 g of feathers were filled because the amount of middle cotton was 80% compared to a single futon filled with synthetic middle cotton.

[0048] The futon fabric used for the mini futon was woven into a plain weave with 56 dtex / 96 filaments and 39 dtex / 144 filaments of polyethylene terephthalate long fiber semi-dull false-twisted yarn arranged side by side for both the warp and weft, with a warp density of 168 threads per inch and a weft density of 144 threads per inch. It was scoured, set, and dyed under normal processing conditions, and subjected to sweat-absorbing processing and calendering processing on the back side (one side) of the fabric as a finishing process. The basis weight was 70 g / m 2 , the air permeability was 1.0 cc / cm 2 ·sec or less, and the tear strength (pendulum method) was 7 N or more for both the warp and weft.

[0049] [Reference Example] A plain weave of the above futon fabric was obtained as the futon fabric, and three sides were sewn together with a polyethylene terephthalate sewing thread of 50 cotton count conforming to JIS L2511-2006 at 13 stitches per 2.54 cm to form a 10 cm square bag shape, and a mini futon for evaluation was prepared. The middle cotton consisted of 90% white duck down and 10% feathers (feathers), and the down power corresponding to Excel Gold defined by the Japan Feather Products Association was 381 cm 3A mini futon sample was prepared with 100% of the material being / g and the amount of batting being 3.8 g. The prepared mini futon was tested using the testing apparatus described in JIS K6400-2. The initial thickness measurement load was 0.5 N, the speed was 500 mm / min, and the pre-compression was 0 times. The apparatus operation was carried out, and after continuously measuring the stress over time, the obtained data was divided into the loading process and the unloading process parts. For the loading process, assuming that the time for gripping the mini futon during handling is within 2.0 seconds, the data from the time point of pressure generation from the mini futon to 2.0 seconds was used for evaluation. The rate of change of stress was calculated every 0.30 seconds from the 2.0-second data, obtaining a1 to a6, calculating the maximum value, and calculating the total value and average value from a1 to a3, which were 2.39, 1.19, and 0.39 respectively. Also, the unloading process is the process of releasing the grip from the state of gripping the mini futon. With an initial load of 8 N and an operation time of 1.0 second for releasing the grip from there, the stress data for 1.0 second from the state where the stress from the mini futon is 8 N was used for evaluation. The rate of change of stress was calculated every 0.30 seconds from the 1.0-second data, obtaining b1 to b3, calculating the maximum value, and calculating the total value and average value from b1 and b2, which were -3.41, -9.39, and -4.69 respectively.

[0050] [Example 1] As the side fabric, polyethylene terephthalate long fiber full dull false twist crimped yarn 56 dtex / 72 filaments was arranged as the warp and weft, with a warp density of 160 filaments / 2.54 cm, a weft density of 126 filaments / 2.54 cm, and a basis weight of 70 g / cm 2A plain weave fabric was obtained and three sides were sewn together with 50 cotton count polyethylene terephthalate sewing thread compliant with JIS L2511-2006 at 13 stitches / 2.54 cm so as to form a 10 cm by 10 cm bag shape, and a mini futon fabric for evaluation was prepared. As the batting, 51 mm cut side-by-side type conjugate hollow round cross-section short fibers made of polytrimethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate having a spiral type crimp of 3.3 dtex, a hollowness ratio of 8%, and 7.37 crimps / inch and imparted with an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane, 51 mm cut polytrimethylene terephthalate profiled cross-section short fibers with an irregularity degree of 2.0 having 8 radially protruding fin portions with an Ω type crimp formed by anisotropic cooling of 10 dtex, a hollowness ratio of 13%, and 11.10 crimps / inch and imparted with an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane, and 76 mm cut polyethylene terephthalate three-hole hollow round cross-section short fibers having an Ω type crimp formed by anisotropic cooling of 6.6 dtex and 9.0 crimps / inch and imparted with an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane were each subjected to card opening treatment at a mixing ratio of 25%, 25%, and 50%, and a 10 cm square mini futon sample filled with 4.75 g of batting was produced. Using the test apparatus described in JIS K6400-2, the initial thickness measurement load was 0.5 N, the speed was 500 mm / min, and the preliminary compression was 0 times, and the apparatus operation was carried out. After measuring the stress continuously over time, the obtained data was divided into a loading process and an unloading process part. For the loading process, assuming that the time for gripping the mini futon during handling was within 2.0 seconds, the data from the time point when pressure was generated from the mini futon to 2.0 seconds was used for evaluation. The change rates a1 to a6 of the stress were calculated every 0.3 seconds from the data for 2.0 seconds and the maximum value was calculated, and when the total value and the average value were calculated from a1 to a3, they were 3.57, 0.20, and 0.06, respectively. Also, for the unloading process, it was assumed that the operation time for releasing the grip from the state of gripping the mini futon was 1.0 second with an initial load of 8 N, and the stress data for 1.0 second from the state where the stress from the mini futon was 8 N was used for evaluation.The stress change rates b1 to b3 were calculated every 0.3 seconds from the data within 1.0 second, and the maximum value was calculated. When the total value and the average value were calculated from b1 and b2, they were -3.80, -9.42, and -4.71 respectively. Regarding the maximum value, the total value, and the average value calculated from the data in the loading process and the unloading process, when the softness of the cotton-stuffed product was determined based on the judgment criteria, it was shown that the softness was close to that of feathers.

[0051] [Example 2] Prepare a mini futon fabric in the same manner as in Example 1. As the batting, use a 51 mm cut side-by-side type conjugate hollow round cross-section short fiber made of polytrimethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate with a 3.3 dtex, 5% hollowness ratio, and 7.37 crimps per inch spiral type crimp, and an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane; a 51 mm cut polytrimethylene terephthalate irregular cross-section short fiber with an irregularity degree of 2.0 having 8 radially protruding fin portions with an omega type crimp by anisotropic cooling, 10 dtex, 13% hollowness ratio, and 11.10 crimps per inch, and an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane; and a 51 mm cut polyethylene terephthalate solid round cross-section short fiber with a planar zigzag type crimp (mechanical crimp) of 1.7 dtex and 10.70 crimps per inch, and an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane, and perform card opening treatment at a mixing ratio of 25%, 50%, and 25% respectively, and create a 10 cm square mini futon sample filled with 4.75 g of batting. In the same operation as in Example 1, continuously measure the compression stress over time. For the loading process, assuming that the time for grasping the mini futon during handling is within 2.0 seconds, data from the time point of pressure generation from the mini futon to 2.0 seconds was used for evaluation. The change rates a1 to a6 of stress were calculated every 0.30 seconds from the 2.0 seconds of data, and the maximum value was calculated. When the total value and average value were calculated from a1 to a3, they were 2.39, 1.19, and 0.39 respectively. Also, the unloading process is the process of releasing the grasp from the state of grasping the mini futon. The initial load is 8 N, the operation time for releasing from there is 1.0 second, and stress data for 1.0 second from the state where the stress from the mini futon is 8 N was used for evaluation. The change rates b1 to b3 of stress were calculated every 0.30 seconds from the 1.0 second of data, and the maximum value was calculated. When the total value and average value were calculated from b1 and b2, they were -3.41, -9.39, and -4.57 respectively. Based on the maximum value, total value, and average value calculated from the data of the loading process and unloading process, and judging the softness of the batting product based on the judgment criteria, it was shown that the softness was close to that of feathers.

[0052] [Comparative Example 1] A mini futon fabric was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. A 51 mm cut polyethylene terephthalate hollow round cross-section short fiber having a flat zigzag type crimp with a denier of 6.6 dtex and 9.50 crimps per inch and impregnated with an oil agent mainly composed of polydimethylsiloxane was used to fill 4.75 g of batting to produce a 10 cm square mini futon sample. In the same operation as in Example 1, the compressive stress was continuously measured over time. In the loading process, assuming that the time for grasping the mini futon during handling is within 2.0 seconds, the data from the time point when pressure is generated from the mini futon to 2.0 seconds was used for evaluation. The rate of change of stress was calculated every 0.30 seconds from the 2.0 seconds of data, obtaining a1 to a6, calculating the maximum value, and calculating the total value and average value from a1 to a3, which were 3.96, 1.77, and 0.59 respectively. Also, the unloading process is the process of releasing the grasp from the state of grasping the mini futon. With an initial load of 8 N and an operation time of 1.0 second for releasing the grasp from there, the stress data for 1.0 second from the state where the stress from the mini futon is 8 N was used for evaluation. The rate of change of stress was calculated every 0.30 seconds from the 1.0 second of data, obtaining b1 to b3, calculating the maximum value, and calculating the total value and average value from b1 and b2, which were -3.85, -10.26, and -5.13 respectively. Based on the criteria, the softness of the batting product was determined from the maximum value, total value, and average value calculated from the data of the loading process and unloading process, and it was shown to be harder than feathers.

Industrial Applicability

[0053] According to the present invention, a batting having a soft texture and resilience similar to feathers, a batting evaluation method, and a stuffed product can be obtained, and its industrial value is extremely large.

Claims

1. A batting comprising profiled cross-section short fibers made of polytrimethylene terephthalate and having 2 to 12 fins projecting radially, polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components, and / or polyester short fibers composed of a single component and having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp.

2. The batting according to Claim 1, wherein the single fiber fineness of the polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components and / or the polyester short fibers composed of a single component and having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp is smaller than that of the profiled cross-section short fibers.

3. The batting according to Claim 1, wherein the polyester short fibers composed of a plurality of components are side-by-side type or eccentric core-sheath type composite fibers having at least one component of a polytrimethylene terephthalate component.

4. The batting according to Claim 1, wherein the polyester short fibers composed of a single component and having a spiral or Ω-shaped crimp are hollow polyester short fibers.

5. The batting according to Claim 4, wherein the hollow polyester short fibers are porous hollow short fibers.

6. In a mini futon filled with 4.75 g of batting in a futon fabric made of a fabric 10 cm long and wide, the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when applying a load under compression conditions of an initial load of 0.5 N and a speed of 500 mm / min is 3.90 or less, and the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when removing the load from 8 N at the same speed is -10.0 or more. A batting characterized by this.

7. A method for evaluating batting, characterized by measuring the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when applying a load under compression conditions of an initial load of 0.5 N and a speed of 500 mm / min, and the stress change rate with respect to the dynamic time when removing the load from 8 N at the same speed, in a mini futon filled with 4.75 g of batting in a futon fabric made of a fabric 10 cm long and wide.

8. A stuffed product using the batting according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.