Wet wipes and wet wipe packaging

Abstract

To provide wet wipes and wet wipe packaging that offer excellent preservative effects and easy dispensing of the wet wipes. [Solution] A nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a nonwoven fabric having a first surface layer and a second surface layer constituting the surface of the nonwoven fabric, each containing water-repellent cellulose fibers, wherein the water-repellent cellulose fibers are present in an amount of 10 to 45% by mass based on the total mass of the nonwoven fabric; and a chemical solution containing a preservative, wherein the preservative is a non-cationic preservative.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wet wipes and packages of wet wipes.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, non-woven fabrics containing water-repellent cellulose fibers have been newly considered as base sheets for various products such as wipes and face masks.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a laminated non-woven fabric including a first fiber layer, a second fiber layer, and an intermediate fiber layer positioned between the first fiber layer and the second fiber layer. The first fiber layer and the second fiber layer each contain a predetermined amount of water-repellent cellulose fibers and hydrophilic cellulose fibers based on their total mass, the intermediate fiber layer contains a predetermined amount of hydrophilic cellulose fibers based on its total mass, and the first fiber layer, the intermediate fiber layer, and the second fiber layer are integrated by entanglement of the fibers. According to such a laminated non-woven fabric, it is said that appropriate frictional force and adhesion to the skin due to the frictional force can be obtained.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a non-woven fabric having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, which contains water-repellent cellulose fibers and other fibers at a predetermined ratio based on the total mass of the non-woven fabric, and at least one of the first surface and the second surface is a surface of a fiber layer A containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers and the other fibers at a predetermined ratio, and the non-woven fabric is integrated by entanglement of the fibers. It is said that this can provide a non-woven fabric that gives a wiper having better collectability of wiped dirt and further smaller fiber shedding.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] Wet wipes are applied to the user's skin during use, so maintaining a clean state is important. However, because they contain liquids such as chemical solutions and are in a moist state, they are prone to mold and bacterial growth. However, suitable preservatives for wet wipes made of nonwoven fabric containing water-repellent cellulose fibers have not yet been investigated. As a result of diligent research by the Discloser, it has been discovered for the first time that even preservatives commonly used in wet wipes made of nonwoven fabric containing conventional, untreated cellulose fibers (hereinafter, to distinguish them from water-repellent cellulose fibers, "conventional, untreated cellulose fibers" may be referred to as "hydrophilic cellulose fibers") or hydrophobic synthetic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, etc. (hereinafter, "hydrophobic fibers, etc." may be referred to as "hydrophobic fibers, etc.") have inferior preservative effects in wet wipes made of nonwoven fabric containing water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0007] Furthermore, in packaging for wet wipes, wet tissues, and the like, especially pop-up type packaging, when one wet wipe is removed from the packaging, multiple wet wipes, including the next wet wipe, may be removed at once (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "multiple wipe removal tendency"). The nonwoven fabrics disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not intended to be applied to pop-up type packaging, and no studies have been conducted to address the problem related to such multiple wipe removal tendency.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide wet wipes and wet wipe packaging that have excellent preservative effects and excellent ease of dispensing the wet wipes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The Disclosers have found a wet wipe characterized by comprising a nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a first surface layer and a second surface layer constituting the surface of the nonwoven fabric, each containing water-repellent cellulose fibers, wherein the water-repellent cellulose fibers are present in an amount of 10 to 45% by mass based on the total mass of the nonwoven fabric, and a chemical solution containing a preservative, wherein the preservative is a non-cationic preservative. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The wet wipes and wet wipe packaging relating to this disclosure have excellent preservative properties and excellent ease of dispensing the wet wipes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the packaging 1 of wet wipes according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an end view of the II-II end face of the wet wipes packaging 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating multiple wet wipes 9. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an end view of the wet wipes packaging 1 according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Specifically, this disclosure relates to the following aspects: [Aspect 1] A nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a first surface layer and a second surface layer constituting the surface of the nonwoven fabric, each containing water-repellent cellulose fibers, wherein the water-repellent cellulose fibers are present in an amount of 10 to 45% by mass based on the total mass of the nonwoven fabric, A wet wipe characterized by comprising a liquid containing a preservative, wherein the preservative is a non-cationic preservative.

[0013] The nonwoven fabric constituting the above wet wipes contains water-repellent cellulose fibers. These water-repellent cellulose fibers are cellulose fibers that possess water repellency and exhibit water repellency, but once wet, they can retain a certain amount of moisture inside the fiber and have a certain degree of water swelling. As a result, these water-repellent cellulose fibers have chemical solution retention properties equivalent to those of hydrophilic cellulose fibers, and also have higher chemical solution retention properties compared to hydrophobic fibers, etc. While the water-repellent cellulose fibers described above have desirable chemical solution retention properties, as they can maintain the wet state of the wet wipes for a long period of time and suppress the tendency to take out multiple wipes at once, there is a possibility that preservative components in the chemical solution may be easily adsorbed onto the water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0014] Generally, the chemical solution contained in wet wipes consists of a portion that is retained by the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric that makes up the wet wipes and a portion that is not retained. It is known to those skilled in the art that the greater the amount of preservative component in the chemical solution that is not retained by the constituent fibers, the higher the preservative effect of the wet wipes. Known preservatives that can be contained in wet wipes include cationic preservatives, amphoteric preservatives, parabens, and benzoic acid. However, if the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric that makes up the wet wipes are cellulose fibers, the carboxyl groups of these cellulose fibers are anionic and therefore bind to the cationic functional groups of cationic preservatives. As a result, in wet wipes containing cellulose fibers in the nonwoven fabric, the cationic preservative is adsorbed onto the cellulose fibers and retained by them. Consequently, the aqueous solution that does not contain the cationic preservative is not retained by the cellulose fibers and is discharged to the outside of the wet wipes. If such wet wipes are stored for a long time, mold and bacteria are likely to grow. Furthermore, as a result of diligent research by the Disclosing Party, it was found that the tendency for preservative components in the chemical solution to be adsorbed onto the constituent fibers of the wet wipes is more pronounced in hydrophobic cellulose fibers than in hydrophilic cellulose fibers. Therefore, in the present aspect, by using a non-cationic preservative as the preservative contained in the chemical solution, the preservative contained in the chemical solution has a better preservative effect than that of a cationic preservative in wet wipes containing water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0015] Subsequently, the above-mentioned tendency of taking out multiple sheets tends to increase as the wet wipes contain a large amount of chemical solution and the amount of the chemical solution not retained by the constituent fibers of the non-woven fabric constituting the wet wipes increases. The non-woven fabric containing water-repellent cellulose fibers according to the present aspect has high chemical solution retention and equivalent or high water repellency due to the characteristics of the water-repellent cellulose fibers as compared with a non-woven fabric containing hydrophobic fibers or the like instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the non-woven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to be separated compared to the wet wipes formed from a non-woven fabric containing hydrophobic fibers or the like instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers. In addition, the non-woven fabric containing water-repellent cellulose fibers according to the present aspect has equivalent chemical solution retention and high water repellency due to the characteristics of the water-repellent cellulose fibers as compared with a non-woven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulose fibers instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the non-woven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers are less likely to stick to each other and are more likely to be separated compared to the wet wipes formed from a non-woven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulose fibers or the like instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0016] <00,00093>Furthermore, the non-woven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fiber according to this aspect contains water-repellent cellulose fibers in each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer constituting the surface of the non-woven fabric, and the non-woven fabric contains a predetermined amount of the water-repellent cellulose fibers. As a result, due to the characteristics of the water-repellent cellulose fibers, it has equivalent or higher chemical liquid retention and equivalent or higher water repellency. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the non-woven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers are less likely to stick to and are more likely to separate from adjacent wet wipe portions compared to the wet wipes formed from the non-woven fabrics disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above. Note that the non-woven fabrics disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above are not assumed to be applied to a pop-up type package, and there is no problem regarding the improvement of the tendency to take out such a plurality of sheets in the first place.

[0017] From the above, the wet wipes formed from the non-woven fabric are excellent in take-out properties. Furthermore, since the water-repellent cellulose fibers contained in the non-woven fabric are biodegradable, compared to non-woven fabrics containing hydrophobic fibers or the like instead of the water-repellent cellulose fibers, the non-woven fabric, and thus the wet wipes formed from the non-woven fabric, are more likely to biodegrade and can reduce the environmental load.

[0018] [Aspect 2] The wet wipes according to Aspect 1, wherein the non-cationic preservative is at least one selected from the group consisting of organic acid-based, phenoxyethanol, parabens, propiolyl butylcarbamate, zinc pyrithione, chlorphenesin, and methylisothiazolinone. By setting the preservative contained in the chemical liquid to a specific non-cationic preservative, the wet wipes containing water-repellent cellulose fibers have a more excellent preservative effect than those in which the preservative contained in the chemical liquid is a cationic preservative.

[0019] [Aspect 3] The wet wipes according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a water absorption capacity of 60 to 110 mm by the Klem method. Since the above nonwoven fabric has a predetermined water absorption rate according to the Klem method, the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric are less likely to stick together and are easier to separate, resulting in excellent ease of removal of the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric.

[0020] [Aspect 4] The water-repellent cellulose fiber has a water swelling degree of 10 to 80% by mass, as described in any of embodiments 1 to 3. In the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, the water-repellent cellulose fibers have a predetermined degree of water swelling. As a result, in wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are easier to separate, resulting in excellent ease of removal of wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric.

[0021] [Aspect 5] The nonwoven fabric further comprises an intermediate layer disposed between the first surface layer and the second surface layer, The aforementioned intermediate layer contains heat-fusible fibers. Wet wipes as described in any of embodiments 1 to 4.

[0022] Because the above-mentioned intermediate layer contains heat-fusible fibers, the wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric have excellent wet strength, and users are less likely to notice the stiffness caused by the heat-fusible fibers.

[0023] [Aspect 6] The wet wipes according to embodiment 5, wherein the heat-fusible fibers include biodegradable heat-fusible fibers. In the above nonwoven fabric, since the heat-fusible fibers include biodegradable heat-fusible fibers, the above wet wipes are more likely to become biodegradable.

[0024] [Aspect 7] The wet wipes according to embodiment 5 or 6, wherein the intermediate layer further contains pulp fibers.

[0025] In the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, the intermediate layer further contains pulp fibers, so in the wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, the amount of liquid held in the intermediate layer is relatively large, while the amount of liquid contained in the first surface layer and the second surface layer is relatively small. As a result, the amount of liquid on the surface of the wet wipe portion (first surface layer and second surface layer) is relatively small, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are easier to separate, and the wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric have excellent dispensability.

[0026] [Aspect 8] The wet wipes according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer is composed of cellulose fibers.

[0027] In the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, since the first surface layer and the second surface layer are each composed of cellulose fibers, the liquid medicine is more easily retained in the first surface layer and the second surface layer in the wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, and the wet wipes have superior wiping properties.

[0028] [Aspect 9] A wet wipes package in which multiple wet wipes are housed inside a packaging body having a top with an opening and a bottom, At least a portion of the plurality of wet wipes is composed of the wet wipes described in any of embodiments 1 to 8. The aforementioned multiple wet wipes are stacked in the direction from the bottom to the top. A packaging for wet wipes characterized by the following features.

[0029] The packaging for the wet wipes described above has the effects disclosed in Embodiment 1.

[0030] [Aspect 10] The wet wipes packaging according to embodiment 8, wherein the plurality of wet wipes are arranged so as to overlap each other such that the top end of the bottom-side wet wipe located on the bottom side, the bottom end of the top-side wet wipe adjacent to the top side of the top-side wet wipe, and the top end of the bottom-side wet wipe are located on the top side of the top-side wet wipe.

[0031] The packaging of the wet wipes described above makes it easy to take out multiple wipes at once and maintains a predetermined dispensing height. Therefore, users of the wet wipes can easily take out the required number of wipes and then easily take out the next wet wipe.

[0032] The nonwoven fabric for wet wipes (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "nonwoven fabric"), wet wipes, and packaging for wet wipes (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "packaging") related to this disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0033] [Non-woven fabric] The nonwoven fabric relating to this disclosure is a nonwoven fabric for wet wipes and contains water-repellent cellulose fibers. The water-repellent cellulose fibers are cellulose fibers that have water-repellent properties and exhibit water-repellency, but once wet, they can retain a certain amount of moisture inside the fibers and have a certain degree of water swelling. Therefore, wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric containing water-repellent cellulose fibers are less likely to stick together and are more likely to separate from each other compared to wet wipes formed from nonwoven fabric containing hydrophobic fibers instead of water-repellent cellulose fibers, and also compared to wet wipes formed from nonwoven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulose fibers instead of water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0034] Furthermore, because the water-repellent cellulose fibers have a certain degree of water swelling, wet wipes formed from this nonwoven fabric are better able to retain chemical solutions and have higher water retention compared to nonwoven fabrics containing hydrophobic fibers instead of water-repellent cellulose fibers. In addition, because the water-repellent cellulose fibers are biodegradable, the nonwoven fabric, and consequently the wet wipes formed from it, are more easily biodegraded, thereby reducing the environmental burden.

[0035] Examples of cellulose fibers that make up the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers include natural cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, refined cellulose fibers, and semi-synthetic cellulose fibers. Examples of the above-mentioned natural cellulose fibers include plant fibers, such as pulp fibers, seed hair fibers (e.g., cotton fibers), pulp fibers (e.g., hemp), leaf vein fibers (e.g., Manila hemp), and fruit fibers (e.g., coconut).

[0036] The pulp fibers mentioned above include those known as pulp fibers in the art, such as wood pulp fibers and non-wood pulp fibers. Examples of wood pulp fibers include softwood pulp fibers and hardwood pulp fibers. Examples of non-wood pulp fibers include straw pulp fibers, bagasse pulp fibers, reed pulp fibers, kenaf pulp fibers, mulberry pulp fibers, bamboo pulp fibers, hemp pulp fibers, and cotton pulp fibers (e.g., cotton linter fibers).

[0037] Examples of the cotton fibers mentioned above include cotton fibers from the cotton species *Hirstum* (e.g., Upland cotton), cotton fibers from the cotton species *Barbadense*, cotton fibers from the cotton species *Arboreum*, and cotton fibers from the cotton species *Herbacheum*. Furthermore, the cotton fibers mentioned above may be organic cotton fibers or pre-organic cotton (trademark) fibers. Organic cotton fibers refer to cotton that has been certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).

[0038] Examples of the regenerated cellulose fibers mentioned above include rayon, such as viscose rayon obtained from viscose, polynosic and modal, and copper ammonia rayon (also called "cupro") obtained from a copper ammonia salt solution of cellulose.

[0039] The above-mentioned purified cellulose fibers include lyocell, specifically, pulp which is dissolved in an aqueous solution of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide to form a dope, and then extruded into a dilute solution of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide to produce fibers. The above-mentioned purified cellulose is commercially available, for example, as Tencel (trademark). Examples of the above-mentioned semi-synthetic fibers include semi-synthetic cellulose, such as acetate fibers, such as triacetate and diacetate.

[0040] The above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers can be formed by treating the above-mentioned cellulose fibers with a water-repellent agent or the like, according to the methods described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-266241, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-20570, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-65443, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-58301, etc. Furthermore, commercially available water-repellent cellulose fibers include, for example, EcoReperus (product name, water-repellent viscose rayon) manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., and Olea (product name, water-repellent viscose rayon) manufactured by Kelheim Fibres GmbH.

[0041] The water repellency of the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers can be evaluated as follows, in accordance with "6(1) k Sedimentation velocity" in the "Standards for Medical Gauze and Medical Absorbent Cotton" attached to Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau Notification No. 0630001. A 10g sample obtained by opening fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric or fibers taken from wet wipes using a carding machine is evenly placed in a 3g test basket with a diameter of 50mm, a depth of 80mm, and a wire spacing of 20mm, made using 0.4mm diameter copper wire. The basket is then tilted on its side and gently dropped into 200mm of water at a depth of 12mm above the water surface at a water temperature of 24-26°C, and the time it takes for the basket to sink below the water surface is defined as the sinking velocity. For fibers that cannot be opened by the carding machine (e.g., fibers with short fiber length), 10g of the fibers can be placed directly into the test basket. Alternatively, if the textile product is in the form of a wet nonwoven fabric or air-lay nonwoven fabric, 10g of nonwoven fabric pieces cut to a size of 1cm x 1cm can be placed into the test basket.

[0042] When measuring the sedimentation velocity using the method described above, samples that absorb water but do not sink below the water surface after, for example, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes are preferably used as water-repellent cellulose fibers. Samples that do not sink after 1 minute and are partially or completely floating on the water surface are more preferably used as water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0043] The above nonwoven fabric contains the above water-repellent cellulose fibers in a ratio of 10% by mass or more, preferably 12% by mass or more, and more preferably 15% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the above nonwoven fabric contains the above water-repellent cellulose fibers in a ratio of 45% by mass or less, preferably 40% by mass or less, and more preferably 35% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the nonwoven fabric. As a result, the above nonwoven fabric has a certain affinity for water, and in wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are more likely to separate.

[0044] The nonwoven fabric described above has a first surface layer and a second surface layer that constitute the surface of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, for example, a two-layer structure, a three-layer structure, a four-layer structure, a five-layer structure, etc. (structures with three or more layers may be referred to as "structures with three or more layers" below). If 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 constitute the surface of the nonwoven fabric, and one or more intermediate layers disposed between the first surface layer and the second surface layer.

[0045] In the nonwoven fabric described above, water-repellent cellulose fibers are included in both the first and second surface layers. As a result, in the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are more likely to separate.

[0046] Furthermore, the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers can be distinguished from hydrophilic cellulose fibers by their degree of water swelling. The above water-repellent cellulose fibers preferably have a water swelling degree of 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more. Furthermore, the above water-repellent cellulose fibers preferably have a water swelling degree of 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably 60% by mass or less. As a result, in the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are easier to separate.

[0047] Furthermore, the hydrophilic cellulose fibers described above can have a higher degree of water swelling than the hydrophobic cellulose fibers described above. The hydrophilic cellulose fibers preferably have a degree of water swelling of 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. In addition, the hydrophilic cellulose fibers preferably have a degree of water swelling of 300% by mass or less, more preferably 200% by mass or less, and even more preferably 150% by mass or less.

[0048] The above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers have a water swelling degree that is 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 lower than that of ordinary cellulose fibers that do not have water repellency, such as the hydrophilic cellulose fibers described later. As a result, in wet wipes formed from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are easier to separate.

[0049] In this disclosure, the degree of water swelling of the fibers is measured in accordance with "8.26 Degree of Water Swelling" of "Test Method for Staples of Chemical Fibers" in JIS L1015:2010, and this method is also applicable to fibers other than rayon and cupro.

[0050] The above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose 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. Furthermore, the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose 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. As a result, the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers are more likely to entangle with other fibers, such as water-repellent cellulose fibers, and optionally hydrophilic cellulose fibers, which tends to increase the strength of the nonwoven fabric and, consequently, the wet wipes.

[0051] The above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose 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. Furthermore, the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose 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 fibrous clumping in the nonwoven fabric containing the water-repellent cellulose fibers while maintaining tactile properties.

[0052] In this disclosure, the average fiber length of fibers other than pulp fibers is measured according to "A7.1 Measurement of fiber length" in Annex A of JIS L 1015:2010, specifically "A7.1.1 Method A (standard method): Method for measuring the length of individual fibers on a glass plate with a scale." The above method is a test method equivalent to ISO 6989, which was published in 1981.

[0053] In this disclosure, the average fiber length of pulp fibers means the weight-weighted average fiber length and refers to the L(w) value measured by the Kajaani FiberLab Fiber Properties (off-line) manufactured by Metso Automation.

[0054] The above nonwoven fabric may further contain hydrophilic cellulose fibers. This makes the nonwoven fabric itself more adept at retaining the liquid, preventing the wet wipes from sticking together and making them easier to separate. Furthermore, because the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric are better able to retain the liquid, their water retention is improved. In addition, since hydrophilic cellulose fibers are biodegradable, the above nonwoven fabric, and consequently the wet wipes formed from it, become more biodegradable, thereby reducing the environmental impact.

[0055] From the above viewpoint, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophilic cellulose 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. In addition, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophilic cellulose fibers in a ratio of preferably 75% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less. Examples of cellulose fibers that make up the hydrophilic cellulose fibers mentioned above include those described in the section on water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0056] If the hydrophilic cellulose fibers are not pulp fibers, they 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. Also, if the hydrophilic cellulose fibers are not pulp fibers, they 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 cellulose fibers to intertwine with each other, which tends to increase the strength of the nonwoven fabric and, consequently, the wet wipes.

[0057] The hydrophilic cellulose fibers described above 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. Furthermore, the hydrophilic cellulose 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 maintain tactile properties while suppressing the formation of fiber clumps in the nonwoven fabric containing the hydrophilic cellulose fibers.

[0058] The above nonwoven fabric can be composed of the above water-repellent cellulose fibers and the above hydrophilic cellulose fibers. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric may include, in addition to the water-repellent and hydrophilic cellulose fibers, heat-fusible fibers, hydrophobic fibers, etc., as described later.

[0059] The above nonwoven fabric may further contain heat-fusible fibers intended to be heat-fused within the nonwoven fabric. When the above nonwoven fabric contains heat-fusible fibers, the strength of the nonwoven fabric, and consequently the wet strength of the wet wipes, can be increased by heat fusion between the heat-fusible fibers and heat fusion between the heat-fusible fibers and heat fusion between the heat-fusible fibers and cellulosic fibers (hydrophobic cellulosic fibers and hydrophilic cellulosic fibers), and when the above heat-fusible fibers are heat-fused to each other, the strength of the nonwoven fabric, and consequently the wet strength of the wet wipes, can be further increased.

[0060] The above-mentioned heat-fusible fibers can be any fiber used as a heat-fusible fiber in the art, specifically, any fiber containing a low-melting-point thermoplastic resin and a high-melting-point thermoplastic resin, and it is preferable that the heat-fusible fibers contain at least a low-melting-point thermoplastic resin, such as polyethylene resin or low-melting-point polypropylene, on their surface in order to fuse the heat-fusible fibers together. Examples of the above-mentioned heat-fusible fibers include: single-component polyethylene resin fibers; single-component polypropylene resin fibers; core-sheath type composite synthetic fibers in which the core is polyethylene terephthalate resin and the sheath is polyethylene resin; core-sheath type composite synthetic fibers in which the core is polypropylene resin and the sheath is polyethylene resin; core-sheath type composite synthetic fibers in which the core is high-melting-point polypropylene resin and the sheath is low-melting-point polypropylene resin; side-by-side type composite synthetic fibers made of polyethylene terephthalate resin and polyethylene resin; and side-by-side type composite synthetic fibers made of polypropylene resin and polyethylene resin.

[0061] The heat-fusible fibers mentioned above are preferably biodegradable heat-fusible fibers. This makes the nonwoven fabric, and consequently the wet wipes, more biodegradable. Examples of low-melting-point thermoplastic resins that constitute the biodegradable, heat-fusible fibers mentioned above 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, or polylactic acid.

[0062] Examples of the high-melting-point thermoplastic resins that constitute the biodegradable, heat-fusible fibers mentioned above include polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyglycolic acid, or cellulose acetate.

[0063] If the nonwoven fabric contains the heat-fusible fibers, the nonwoven fabric contains the heat-fusible fibers in a ratio of preferably more than 0% by mass, more preferably 2% by mass or more, and even more preferably 5% by mass or more. Furthermore, if the nonwoven fabric contains the heat-fusible fibers, the nonwoven fabric contains the heat-fusible fibers in a ratio of preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or less, and even more preferably 15% by mass or less. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric have excellent wet strength.

[0064] The above nonwoven fabric may further contain hydrophobic fibers that are not intended to be heat-fused in the nonwoven fabric. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric may have bulkiness, resistance to flattening, etc. Examples of the hydrophobic fibers mentioned above include those commonly used in the art, and synthetic fibers are preferred. Examples of the synthetic fibers include those containing a single component, such as a single fiber, or those containing multiple components, such as a composite fiber.

[0065] Examples of the above components include polyolefin polymers, such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyester polymers, such as terephthalate polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate, and polypentylene terephthalate; polyamide polymers, such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6; acrylic polymers; polyacrylonitrile polymers; and modified versions thereof.

[0066] If the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fibers, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fibers in a ratio of preferably more than 0% by mass, more preferably 1% by mass or more, and even more preferably 2% by mass or more. Furthermore, if the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fibers, the nonwoven fabric contains the hydrophobic fibers in a ratio of preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 40% by mass or less, and even more preferably 35% by mass or less. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric can have bulkiness, resistance to flattening, etc.

[0067] The above nonwoven fabric is preferably 20 g / m² 2 Above, a comfortable 30g / m 2 The above, and more preferably 35 g / m² 2 It has a basis weight of the above. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric is preferably 100 g / m². 2 More preferably 90g / m 2 More preferably 80 g / m 2 The following, and even more preferably 70 g / m² 2 It has the following basis weight. This makes it easier to ensure both the ease of dispensing the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric and their strength for wiping, etc.

[0068] The above-mentioned intermediate layer may contain the water-repellent cellulose fibers, but from the viewpoint of making it easier to separate adjacent wet wipe portions, the above-mentioned intermediate layer does not necessarily have to contain the water-repellent cellulose fibers.

[0069] When the nonwoven fabric has the above-mentioned structure of three or more layers, and further contains hydrophilic cellulose fibers, the hydrophilic cellulose fibers can be included in any of the first surface layer, intermediate layer, and second surface layer, and preferably in all of the first surface layer, intermediate layer, and second surface layer. This makes it easier to sufficiently impregnate the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric with the chemical solution.

[0070] When the nonwoven fabric has the above-mentioned structure of three or more layers, and the nonwoven fabric further contains heat-fusible fibers, the heat-fusible fibers may be included in any of the first surface layer, the intermediate layer, and the second surface layer. The heat-fusible fibers may be included in at least the intermediate layer, or only in the intermediate layer. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric will have excellent wet strength, and the user will not feel the stiffness derived from the heat-fusible fibers. Furthermore, the heat-fusible fibers may also be included in the first and second surface layers. This makes the wet wipes formed from the nonwoven fabric less susceptible to deformation such as losing their shape or stretching during wiping.

[0071] If the nonwoven fabric has the above-mentioned structure of three or more layers, it is preferable that the first surface layer and the second surface layer are each composed of cellulose fibers. This makes it easier for the liquid to be retained by the first surface layer and the second surface layer, and improves the wiping performance of the wet wipes. The above-mentioned cellulose fibers include the above-mentioned water-repellent cellulose fibers and, if desired, the above-mentioned hydrophilic cellulose fibers.

[0072] If the nonwoven fabric has the above-mentioned structure of three or more layers, the intermediate layer may further contain pulp fibers. This reduces the amount of liquid on the surface of the wet wipe portion (first surface layer and second surface layer), making it less likely for the wet wipe portions to stick together and easier for them to separate.

[0073] The nonwoven fabric according to this disclosure preferably has a Klem-measured water absorption of 60 mm or more, more preferably 65 mm or more, and even more preferably 70 mm or more. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric according to this disclosure preferably has a Klem-measured water absorption of 110 mm or less, more preferably 105 mm or less, and even more preferably 100 mm or less. As a result, in wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric, the wet wipe portions are less likely to stick together and are easier to separate.

[0074] In this disclosure, the water absorption by the Klem method is measured in accordance with JIS P8141:2004 "Paper and paperboard - Water absorption test method - Klem method," and the differences from JIS P8141:2004 are as follows. - The test specimens will consist of two types: one in which the transport direction during the manufacturing of the nonwoven fabric is the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as "MD test specimen"), and another in which the transport direction during the manufacturing of the nonwoven fabric is the short direction (hereinafter referred to as "CD test specimen"). - Change the dimensions of the test specimen from "width 15±1mm" to "width 25±1mm". - Change the water rise time from "10 minutes ± 10 seconds" to "5 minutes ± 10 seconds". - The average value of the Kreme absorption of the MD test specimen and the Kreme absorption of the CD test specimen will be adopted as the Kreme absorption.

[0075] The nonwoven fabric according to this disclosure preferably has a water absorption capacity of 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. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric according to this disclosure preferably has a water absorption capacity of 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. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric have excellent wiping properties.

[0076] The nonwoven fabric according to this disclosure preferably has a water retention capacity of 10.0 g / g or more, more preferably 10.3 g / g or more, even more preferably 10.6 g / g or more, and still more preferably 10.9 g / g or more. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric according to this disclosure preferably has a water retention capacity of 16.0 g / g or less, more preferably 15.0 g / g or less, even more preferably 14.0 g / g or less, and still more preferably 13.0 g / g or less. As a result, the wet wipes formed from the above nonwoven fabric have excellent wiping properties.

[0077] In this disclosure, water absorption and water retention are measured as follows: (1) Prepare a sample by cutting the nonwoven fabric to 60 mm x 140 mm (direction of transport during manufacturing x direction perpendicular to the transport direction), and measure the mass of the sample: m0 (g). (2) Place deionized water in a plastic container, place the sample on a mesh wire screen with a mass of m1 (g), and immerse the sample and wire screen together in the deionized water. (3) Three minutes after immersion, remove the sample along with the wire mesh from the deionized water and let it stand for five minutes to drain. (4) After standing for 5 minutes, measure the total mass of the sample and wire mesh: m2 (g). (5) Using tweezers, grasp the sample containing the deionized water without applying pressure, and place it on a metal base measuring 60 mm x 140 mm or larger, ensuring that the sample is wrinkle-free.

[0078] (6) Place an 840g weight on top of the sample so that the load is evenly distributed across the entire sample, and leave it undisturbed for 3 minutes. (7) After standing for 3 minutes, measure the mass of the sample: m3 (g). (8) Water absorption: A (g / g) is given by the following formula: A(g / g) = (m2 - m1 - m0) / m0 It is calculated by [method]. (9) Water retention capacity: R (g / g) is given by the following formula: R(g / g) = (m3 - m0) / m0 It is calculated by [method]. The above water absorption and retention capacities are measured in a constant temperature room at 25°C ± 5°C.

[0079] As the nonwoven fabric mentioned above, any nonwoven fabric manufactured by known methods such as the dry method, wet method, water jet method, spunbond method, airlaid method, needle punch method, felt method, etc. (for example, spunlace nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, point-bond nonwoven fabric, etc.) can be used, and spunlace nonwoven fabric with high wet strength is preferred.

[0080] The above-mentioned nonwoven fabric can be manufactured by methods known in the art. If the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric is a spunlace nonwoven fabric, for example, a dry spunlace nonwoven fabric, it can be manufactured by, for example, a dry spunlace method in which a single or multiple web constituting the nonwoven fabric, formed by a dry process, is placed on a support and a high-pressure water stream is sprayed onto the web from a nozzle. Furthermore, if 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 above the melting point of the low-melting-point thermoplastic resin constituting the heat-fusible fibers, thereby heat-fusing the heat-fusible fibers.

[0081] [Wet wipes and wet wipe packaging] The wet wipes relating to this disclosure include a nonwoven fabric sheet made of the nonwoven fabric described above and a chemical solution. The above nonwoven fabric sheet is formed by cutting the above nonwoven fabric to the desired size.

[0082] The above-mentioned chemical solution contains a preservative, and the preservative is a non-cationic preservative. As described above, the nonwoven fabric constituting the wet wipes contains a predetermined amount of cellulose fibers (water-repellent cellulose fibers and hydrophilic cellulose fibers). When the above-mentioned chemical solution contains a cationic preservative, the carboxyl groups of the cellulose fibers are anionic and therefore bind to the cationic functional groups of the cationic preservative. As a result, in the wet wipes, the cationic preservative is adsorbed onto the cellulose fibers and retained by them. Consequently, aqueous solutions that do not contain the cationic preservative are not retained by the cellulose fibers and are discharged to the outside of the wet wipes. If such wet wipes are stored for a long time, mold and bacteria are likely to grow. However, by containing a non-cationic preservative, the above-mentioned chemical solution can provide superior preservative effects in wet wipes containing water-repellent cellulose fibers compared to those containing a cationic preservative.

[0083] Examples of non-cationic preservatives include organic acid preservatives, phenoxyethanol, and paraben preservatives. Examples of organic acid preservatives include benzoic acid, dehydroacetic acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, etc. Examples of paraben preservatives include methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben. Other non-cationic preservatives include iodide propynyl butylcarbamate, zinc pyrithione, chlorphenesin, and methylisothiazolinone. Benzoic acid or iodide propynyl butylcarbamate are particularly preferred as non-cationic preservatives in the above-mentioned chemical solution.

[0084] By using a specific non-cationic preservative in the above-mentioned chemical solution, the preservative effect in wet wipes containing water-repellent cellulose fibers is even better than in those where the preservative in the chemical solution is a cationic preservative.

[0085] The above-mentioned chemical solution may contain, in addition to the non-cationic preservative, humectants, antibacterial agents, surfactants, water, hydrophilic organic solvents (e.g., ethanol), etc., and those commonly used in chemical solutions in the art can be adopted without limitation. Furthermore, if the chemical solution contains both a cationic preservative and anionic humectants such as polysaccharides or amino acids, the cationic functional groups of the cationic preservative and the anionic functional groups of the anionic humectant may combine and precipitate, potentially leading to deterioration of the chemical solution. Therefore, from the perspective of avoiding such problems, it is advantageous for the chemical solution to contain a non-cationic preservative.

[0086] In the above wet wipes, the ratio of the chemical solution impregnated into the nonwoven fabric (impregnation rate) can be one that is commonly used in the art, and the impregnation rate (mass%) [=100 × (mass of chemical solution) / (mass of nonwoven fabric)] can be, for example, 100% by mass or more, more preferably 200% by mass or more, and even more preferably 250% by mass or more. Furthermore, the ratio of the chemical solution (impregnation rate) can be preferably 700% by mass or less, more preferably 600% by mass or less, even more preferably 550% by mass or less, and even more preferably 500% by mass or less.

[0087] The packaging for wet wipes comprises the wet wipes and a packaging body, with the wet wipes being housed in the packaging body. Examples of the packaging body include packaging sheets and packaging containers. If the packaging body is a packaging sheet, then in the packaging of wet wipes, one or more wet wipes are stored in the packaging sheet. If the packaging contains one wet wipe, then that one wet wipe is folded. If the packaging contains multiple wet wipes, then the multiple wet wipes may or may not be folded.

[0088] Furthermore, if the packaging body is a packaging container, then in the case of wet wipes packaging, multiple wet wipes are stored in the packaging container. The above-mentioned packaging container may have a top portion with an opening and a bottom portion, and the plurality of wet wipes may be stacked in the direction from the bottom portion to the top portion.

[0089] Furthermore, among the multiple wet wipes mentioned above, a portion of the bottom-side wet wipes located at the bottom and a portion of the top-side wet wipes adjacent to the top-side wet wipes can be arranged so that they overlap each other, with the portion of the bottom-side wet wipes positioned higher up than the portion of the top-side wet wipes.

[0090] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wet wipes packaging 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "first embodiment"), and Figure 2 is an end view of the wet wipes packaging 1 at the II-II end face shown in Figure 1. The wet wipes packaging 1 shown in Figure 1 is a pop-up type wet wipes packaging in which multiple wet wipes (not shown) are stored inside a packaging body 3 having a top T with an opening 5 and a bottom B, so that they can be sequentially removed. The packaging body 3 has a sealing material 7 that covers the opening 5.

[0091] 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 are sealed, and evaporation of the medicine is suppressed. Each wet wipe can be removed through the opening 5. The sealing material 7 has an adhesive applied to the surface that comes into contact with the packaging body 3 in order to repeatedly seal the wet wipes inside the packaging body 3.

[0092] As shown in Figure 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 tri-fold (approximately Z-shaped) folding structure with a first fold line and a second fold line. Furthermore, the multiple wet wipes 9 are stacked such that adjacent wet wipes 9 face the same direction in the thickness direction (from the top T to the bottom B) (so that the first fold lines overlap in the thickness direction, and the second fold lines overlap in the thickness direction).

[0093] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the multiple wet wipes 9 contained in the wet wipe packaging 1 shown in Figure 2. Wet wipes 9', 9'', and 9'''' are stacked sequentially from the top T to the bottom B. In the relationship between wet wipes 9' and 9'', 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 its top T side overlap each other such 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).

[0094] Similarly, in Figure 3, regarding the relationship between wet wipes 9'' and wet wipes 9''', 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 its top T side overlap each other such that the top end 9'''T of wet wipe 9''' (bottom wet wipe) is located closer to the top T side than the bottom end 9''B of wet wipe 9'' (top wet wipe).

[0095] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, multiple wet wipes 9 are stacked, so that when a 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 the next use.

[0096] Furthermore, if the water film of the chemical solution formed between the wet wipes causes the bottom end 9'B of wet wipe 9' and the top end 9''T of wet wipe 9'' to connect, there may be a tendency for multiple wipes to be removed at once, such as when removing wet wipe 9', the entire wet wipe 9'' being removed together. In the wet wipe packaging 1 according to the first embodiment, the wet wipes 9 are specific wet wipes, resulting in excellent ease of dispensing one wipe at a time.

[0097] Figure 4 is an end view of a wet wipes packaging 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "second embodiment"), and is an end view corresponding to the II-II end view in Figure 1. In Figure 4, each of the multiple wet wipes 9 has a four-fold (approximately Σ-shaped) folded structure folded along three fold lines. Furthermore, the multiple wet wipes 9 are stacked such that the Σ shapes of adjacent wet wipes 9 face opposite directions in the thickness direction (direction from the top T to the bottom B).

[0098] In the wet wipe packaging 1 according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the top end (not shown) of a bottom-side wet wipe (not shown) located at the bottom and the bottom end (not shown) of a top-side wet wipe (not shown) adjacent to its top are overlapped such that the top end of the bottom-side wet wipe is located higher up than the bottom end of the top-side wet wipe. In the wet wipe packaging 1 according to the second embodiment, the wet wipes 9 are specific wet wipes, resulting in excellent ease of dispensing one wipe at a time. [Examples]

[0099] The following examples illustrate this disclosure, but this disclosure is not limited to these examples. [Manufacturing Example 1] Nonwoven fabric No. 1 was formed by a dry spunlace method, having a first surface layer, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer, and a second surface layer in that order. The first and second surface layers each contained 30% by mass of water-repellent rayon fibers (manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., EcoReperus, fineness: 1.7 dtex, average fiber length: 40 mm) and 70% by mass of hydrophilic rayon fibers (manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., Corona, fineness: 1.44 dtex, average fiber length: 44 mm).

[0100] The first intermediate layer contained 85% by mass of pulp fibers (coniferous pulp fibers) and 15% by mass of heat-fusible fibers (manufactured by Daiwabo Spinning Co., Ltd., NBF(KK)-PL, a composite fiber with a polylactic acid core and a polybutylene succinate sheath, fineness: 2.40 dtex, average fiber length: 5.0 mm). The second intermediate layer contained 100% by mass of hydrophilic rayon fibers (manufactured by Daiwabo Rayon Co., Ltd., Corona, fineness: 1.44 dtex, average fiber length: 44 mm).

[0101] Nonwoven fabric No. 1 was cut to a size of 200 x 140 mm (dispensing direction x width direction), 50 pieces of the cut nonwoven fabric No. 1 were stacked together as shown in the second embodiment, the stack of 50 pieces was packaged in a packaging body, and then the packaging body was filled with a liquid solution equivalent to 300% by mass of the 50 stacks to form a wet wipe packaging No. 1.

[0102] [Manufacturing Example 2] Nonwoven fabric No. 2 and wet wipe packaging No. 2 were formed in the same manner as in Manufacturing Example 1, except that the compositions of the first and second surface layers were changed as shown in Table 1. [Manufacturing Example 3] Nonwoven fabric No. 3 and wet wipe packaging No. 3 were formed in the same manner as in Manufacturing Example 1, except that the compositions of the first and second surface layers were changed as shown in Table 1.

[0103] [Reference production example 1] Nonwoven fabric No. 4 and wet wipe packaging No. 4 were formed in the same manner as in Manufacturing Example 1, except that the compositions of the first and second surface layers were changed as shown in Table 1. [Comparative Manufacturing Example 1] Except for changing the composition of the first and second surface layers as shown in Table 2, specifically, the "water-repellent rayon fibers" in the first and second surface layers were changed to "hydrophobic fibers (polyethylene terephthalate fibers, fineness: 1.45 dtex, average fiber length: 38 mm)," and otherwise, nonwoven fabric No. 5 and wet wipe packaging No. 5 were formed in the same manner as in Production Example 1.

[0104] [Table 1]

[0105] [Table 2]

[0106] [Examples 1 to 3, and Comparative Examples 1 and 2] [Water absorption by Klem method] For nonwoven fabrics No. 1 to No. 5, the water absorption rate, water absorption amount, and water retention amount were measured by the Klem method according to the method described herein. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0107] The ease of dispensing multiple wipes and the dispensing height were evaluated for each of the wet wipe packaging types No. 1 to No. 5. The test methods are as follows. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0108] [Multiple sheets can be removed] Wet wipes are taken out one by one from the packaging. When the nth wet wipe (1, 2, ..., n, ..., 50 from the top) is taken out, the number of wet wipes that are pulled out together with the nth wet wipe (wet wipes that are taken out "entirely" indirectly) is counted.

[0109] For example, when you take out the nth wet wipe, if the (n+1)th wet wipe that is one wipe below it is pulled out along with the nth wet wipe, the wet wipe that was indirectly pulled out "entirely" is counted as one wipe.

[0110] Furthermore, when the nth wet wipe is taken out, if the (n+1)th wet wipe one sheet below it is pulled out along with the nth wet wipe, and the (n+2)th wet wipe two sheets below it is also pulled out along with the (n+1)th wet wipe, then the wet wipes that were indirectly taken out "entirely" are counted as two. The experiment continues until all 50 wet wipes are removed, and the total number of wet wipes removed "entirely" (m) is counted and defined as the number of wipes that can be removed in multiples (sheets).

[0111] [Removal height] One wet wipe at a time is removed from the packaging. When the nth wet wipe (1, 2, ..., n, ..., 50 from the top) is removed, the length of the wet wipes that are pulled out together with the nth wet wipe (the wet wipe that is removed indirectly, in part) is measured (the length from the edge of the wet wipe to the opening), and the average value of the total is taken as the removal height. Note that when measuring the removal height, wet wipes that are removed "entirely" indirectly are ignored. Furthermore, even when the above chemical solution was treated as containing benzoic acid as a non-cationic preservative at a concentration of 0.1% by mass based on the total mass of the chemical solution, there was no substantial difference from the results shown in Table 3.

[0112] [Table 3]

[0113] [Example 4, Comparative Example 3, and Reference Examples 1-4] [Preservative Test] For nonwoven fabrics No. 1, No. 4, and No. 5, preservation tests were conducted using benzoic acid (non-cationic preservative) and benzalkonium chloride (cationic preservative), respectively, according to the rapid preservation efficacy test method and simple bacterial count measurement method described below. For the wet wipe packaging, packaging No. 1-1, No. 4-1, and No. 5-1 were designated as those containing 0.1% by mass of benzoic acid based on the total mass of the liquid, while packaging No. 1-2, No. 4-2, and No. 5-2 were designated as those containing 0.05% by mass of benzalkonium chloride based on the total mass of the liquid. Furthermore, the pH of five wet wipes taken from each packaging was measured using an FET-pH meter, and the average was calculated. The results are shown in Table 4. Rapid storage efficacy test: Wet wipe packaging No. 1-1, No. 4-1, No. 5-1, No. 1-2, No. 4-2, and No. 5-2 were manufactured and allowed to stand for one week. The aqueous solution that seeped out of the wet wipes in each packaging (i.e., not retained by the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric that makes up the wet wipes) was used as the test formulation. 0.01 mL of inoculum was added to 1 g of the test formulation and mixed. After incubation for 1-2 days, 9 mL of neutralizing solution was added and mixed, and then allowed to stand for about 30 minutes to neutralize any remaining preservatives. After adding 180 μL of liquid culture medium to each well of a 96-well microplate, 20 μL of the inoculated and neutralized test formulation described above was added, and the turbidity was measured over a period of 24 to 48 hours using a microplate reader. The onset time for each test formulation was compared to the passing standard. If the onset time was the same or slower, it was marked as ○ (pass); if it was faster, it was marked as × (fail). If the growth curve did not rise, it was marked as ◎ (pass). The overall evaluation was marked with a circle (○) if all bacteria passed, and a cross (×) if any one bacterium failed. A passing overall evaluation indicates a preservative effect equivalent to ISO 11930 Criteria A. Simple bacterial count measurement: The test formulation was measured using a microplate reader. The detection limit was 100 cfu / mL.

[0114] [Table 4] [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1. Packaging of wet wipes 3 Packaging body 5 Openings 7. Sealant 9 Wet wipes

Claims

1. A nonwoven fabric sheet comprising a first surface layer and a second surface layer constituting the surface of the nonwoven fabric, each containing water-repellent cellulose fibers, wherein the water-repellent cellulose fibers are present in an amount of 10 to 45% by mass based on the total mass of the nonwoven fabric, A wet wipe characterized by comprising a liquid containing a preservative, wherein the preservative is a non-cationic preservative.

2. The wet wipes according to claim 1, wherein the non-cationic preservative is at least one selected from the group consisting of organic acids, phenoxyethanol, parabens, iodide propynyl butylcarbamate, zinc pyrithione, chlorphenesin, and methylisothiazolinone.

3. The wet wipes according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a water absorption capacity of 60 to 110 mm according to the Klem method.

4. The water-repellent cellulose fiber has a water swelling degree of 10 to 80% by mass, as described in claim 1, for the wet wipes.

5. The nonwoven fabric further comprises an intermediate layer disposed between the first surface layer and the second surface layer, The aforementioned intermediate layer contains heat-fusible fibers. The wet wipes according to claim 1.

6. The wet wipes according to claim 5, wherein the heat-fusible fiber includes a biodegradable heat-fusible fiber.

7. The wet wipes according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate layer further contains pulp fibers.

8. The wet wipes according to claim 1, wherein each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer is composed of cellulose fibers.

9. A wet wipes package in which multiple wet wipes are housed inside a packaging body having a top with an opening and a bottom, At least a portion of the plurality of wet wipes is composed of the wet wipes described in claim 1, The aforementioned multiple wet wipes are stacked in the direction from the bottom to the top. A packaging for wet wipes characterized by the following features.

10. The wet wipes packaging according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of wet wipes are arranged such 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 such that the top end of the bottom-side wet wipe is located on the top side of the top-side wet wipe.

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