Water supply unit and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

This invention relates to a water supply unit capable of providing a stable water supply and a method for manufacturing the same. [Solution] A water-supplying body according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bag, a superabsorbent polymer, and an inorganic salt. The bag has a water-permeable portion. The superabsorbent polymer and the inorganic salt are housed inside the bag. The water-supplying body includes a holding portion. The holding portion is located inside the bag and is provided on a sheet that constitutes a part of the water-supplying body, fixing and holding the superabsorbent polymer and the inorganic salt, respectively. The distribution range where the superabsorbent polymer is present and the distribution range where the inorganic salt is present overlap.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water supply body and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] When growing plants at home, regular watering is essential.

[0003] Regarding watering in this manner, for example, horticultural moisture-retaining bags and absorbent sheets have been proposed to maintain good soil moisture retention over a long period of time (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In horticultural moisture-retaining bags and absorbent sheets, a water-absorbing polymer is sealed inside the bag, and at least one side of the bag is permeable to water.

[0004] Patent Document 3 proposes a packaging system in which multiple formulation bags, each containing a pesticide formulation enclosed in a water-soluble film bag, are arranged inside an outer bag using horizontal pillow packaging. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-171849 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-22249 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-23918 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In recent years, with the diversification of work styles and other factors, people are spending more time at home, and consequently, there is a growing trend of people growing plants. In plant cultivation, there are various worries and problems related to watering, cleaning, and pests, but among them, many people complain about the hassle of watering and forgetting to water their plants, so there is a demand for watering systems that can provide a stable water supply.

[0007] The present invention relates to a water supply body capable of stable water supply and a method for manufacturing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A water-supplying body according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bag, a superabsorbent resin, and an inorganic salt. The above-mentioned bag has a water-permeable section. The superabsorbent polymer and the inorganic salt are contained within the bag. The above-mentioned water supply unit includes a holding part. The above-mentioned retaining portion is positioned inside the bag and is provided on a sheet that constitutes part of the water-absorbing body, and fixes and holds the superabsorbent resin and the inorganic salt, respectively. The distribution range of the superabsorbent resin and the distribution range of the inorganic salt overlap.

[0009] A method for manufacturing a water supply body according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bag having a water permeable portion, and a superabsorbent resin and an inorganic salt contained within the bag. The manufacturing method of the above-mentioned water supply body is: The first step involves applying adhesive to one side of the base sheet roll, The steps include: sprinkling an inorganic salt on one of the surfaces coated with the adhesive; The steps include: after spraying the inorganic salt, spraying a superabsorbent resin onto the surface to which the adhesive has been applied; A step of manufacturing a laminate by cutting the first base sheet raw material on which the inorganic salt and the superabsorbent resin have been sprayed into a predetermined shape, The steps include placing the above laminate on a sheet raw material for the first bag, The step of laminating a second sheet roll for a bag having a water-permeable portion onto the first sheet roll for a bag described above, with the laminate interposed between them, The step of cutting the first sheet material for the bag and the second sheet material for the bag with the laminate in between. Equipped with, The first sheet roll for the bag or the second sheet roll for the bag described above has a water-permeable portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the water supply body of the present invention, stable water supply is possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] (A) and (B) are respectively a plan view and a bottom view of the water supply body of the first embodiment of the present invention, and (C) is a schematic diagram showing the state of watering plants using the water supply body. [Figure 2] (A) and (B) are respectively an exploded perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the water supply body of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminate constituting a part of the water supply body of the first embodiment, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminate of a modified example. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view schematically showing an apparatus for manufacturing a water-absorbing body of the water supply body of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the water supply body of the first embodiment using the water supply body manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are respectively an exploded perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the water supply body of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] (A) and (B) are respectively an exploded perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the water supply body of the third embodiment. [Figure 8] (A) and (B) are respectively an exploded perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the water supply body of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water supply body of the fifth embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] The water supply body 1 of the present invention can be used for various applications requiring long-term water supply, and for example, as shown in Figure 1(C), it can be suitably used in plant cultivation. In the embodiment used for plant cultivation, the water-soaked water supply body 1 can be placed on the soil surface where the plants are planted, and the water absorbed and retained within the water supply body 1 is supplied to the soil surface. Hereinafter, when the water-absorbing body 1 is used for water supply, the side of the water-absorbing body 1 that is located on the soil surface side (the second surface 102 in the example shown in Figure 1) will be conveniently referred to as the "bottom surface," and the side opposite to the bottom surface will be referred to as the top surface (the first surface 101 in the example shown in Figure 1).

[0013] The inventors of the present invention discovered that stable water supply is possible by constructing a water supply body by containing a holding part, an inorganic salt fixed and held by the holding part, and a superabsorbent resin within the bag, and thus arrived at the present invention.

[0014] In water-supplying bodies using inorganic salts and superabsorbent polymers, when the inorganic salt dissolves, the ion concentration outside the superabsorbent polymer, which has swollen due to water replenishment (water absorption), increases. To eliminate the ion concentration difference between the inside and outside of the superabsorbent polymer, water from inside the polymer is discharged to the outside (hereinafter referred to as the "water supply mechanism").

[0015] The water supply unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that previously described components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0016] <First Embodiment> 《Overall configuration of the water supply system》 As shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), when the water supply body 1 is viewed in the thickness direction, its external shape is approximately elliptical (more specifically, a rectangle with rounded corners). For example, before water absorption, the vertical length a of the water supply body 1 is 6 cm, the horizontal length b is 8 cm, and the thickness is 2-3 mm. Also, when the water supply body 1 is viewed in the thickness direction from the second surface 102 side, the vertical length c of the rectangular water permeable section 10a, described later, is 2 cm, and the horizontal length d is 2 cm. Note that the external shape and various dimensions are not limited to those shown herein. In the following, viewing in the thickness direction is sometimes referred to as a "planar view."

[0017] As shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), and Figures 2(A) and (B), the water supply body 1 comprises a bag body 10 having a water-permeable portion 10a and a laminated body 5 housed inside the bag body 10. The bag body 10 constitutes the external shape of the water supply body 1. The bag body 10 has a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 facing each other in the thickness direction of the water supply body 1. In the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the water-permeable portion 10a is provided on the second surface 102 of the bag body 10, which is located on the soil side when the water supply body 1 is in use, and is not provided on the first surface 101. The bag body 10 is permeable to water, and the water-permeable portion 10a is the water-permeable part of the bag body 10.

[0018] Furthermore, as in the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, an adhesive 9 may be provided inside the bag body 10 to bond and fix the laminated body 5 and the inner surface of the bag body 10.

[0019] Details of each configuration The laminated body 5 and the bag body 10 will be described in detail below.

[0020] [Laminated structure] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the laminate 5 housed within the bag 10 comprises a first base sheet 51, a holding portion 53, and an inorganic salt 6 and a superabsorbent resin 7 fixed and held in the holding portion 53. The layer composed of the inorganic salt 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 is referred to as the powder layer 8. The first base sheet 51 is a sheet that constitutes a part of the water supply body 1.

[0021] As in the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the laminate 5 may further include a second base sheet 52 that is positioned opposite the first base sheet 51 in the thickness direction. The retaining portion 53, the superabsorbent resin 7, and the inorganic salt 6 are disposed between the first base sheet 51 and the second base sheet 52. The first base sheet 51 and the second base sheet 52 may be partially bonded together by the retaining portion 53. As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the laminate 5 is constructed by stacking the first base sheet 51, the holding portion 53, the powder layer 8, and the second base sheet 52 in order from bottom to top (from the first surface 101 to the second surface 102). In plan view, the first base sheet 51 and the second base sheet 52 have the same external shape and size and overlap each other.

[0022] (powder layer) As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the powder layer 8 contains an inorganic salt 6 and a superabsorbent polymer 7. The inorganic salt 6 and the superabsorbent polymer 7 are fixed and held by a holding portion 53 provided on one surface 511 of the first base sheet 51. The distribution range of the inorganic salt 6 and the distribution range of the superabsorbent polymer 7 overlap in a plan view. As shown in Figure 2(B), the first base sheet 51 has a holding region 16 where the distribution range of the superabsorbent polymer 7 and the distribution range of the inorganic salt 6 overlap. In the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the holding region 16 is the entire area of ​​one surface 511 of the first base sheet 51. The holding region 16 may be provided on a part of one surface 511 of the first base sheet 51. The powder layer 8 may optionally contain metal salts other than the inorganic salt 6, chelating agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, ion exchange resins, etc.

[0023] In the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the superabsorbent resin 7 and the inorganic salt 6, which are arranged so that their distribution ranges overlap, are both fixed and held by the holding part 53. As a result, the inorganic salt 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 can efficiently come into contact, and after water absorption, the environment in which the above water supply mechanism occurs can be stably created within the water supply body 1, enabling stable water supply.

[0024] ((Inorganic salt)) Inorganic salt 6 can be one or more inorganic salts selected from sulfates, phosphates, carbonates, and chlorides. Inorganic salt 6 can be alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts, copper salts, zinc salts, iron salts, and ammonium salts. Preferably, it can be one or more selected from alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, and ammonium salts, and more preferably, one or more selected from sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, and ammonium salts. Inorganic salt 6 can be one or more selected from potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dipotassium monohydrogen phosphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride.

[0025] From the viewpoint of gradually releasing the inorganic salt component, it is preferable that the inorganic salt be contained within the bag 10 in a manner that it is included in the coated fertilizer. The coated fertilizer typically consists of granular fertilizer containing the inorganic salt component and a coating film that covers the fertilizer. In the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the inorganic salt is contained within the bag 10 in a manner that it is included in the coated fertilizer, and hereafter, "inorganic salt 6" will be replaced with "coated fertilizer 6" in the description.

[0026] From the viewpoint of gradually releasing inorganic salt components, the particle size of the coated fertilizer 6 is preferably 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, more preferably 1.2 mm to 1.7 mm, and even more preferably 1.3 mm to 1.6 mm. The method for measuring the particle size of the coated fertilizer will be described later.

[0027] Examples of coating materials for coated fertilizers include resins such as polyolefin resins (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.) and known coating components such as sulfur. Furthermore, coated fertilizers may optionally contain clay minerals such as talc, foamed silica, chelating agents, etc. For example, various coating materials and coating methods are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-28927, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-28457, Japanese Patent Publication No. 37-15382, Japanese Patent Publication No. 42-13681, and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-156166.

[0028] As coated fertilizer 6, for example, Micro Long Total 280-00 (manufactured by J-Cam Agri Co., Ltd., coated fertilizer, particle size 1 mm, type with a shelf life of 100 days or less, inorganic salt content 77% by mass, nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium = 12% by mass:8% by mass:10% by mass), Super Eco Long 413-100 (manufactured by J-Cam Agri Co., Ltd., coated fertilizer, particle size 3 mm, type with a shelf life of 100 days or less, inorganic salt content 85% by mass, nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium = 14% by mass:11% by mass:13% by mass), etc. can be used.

[0029] ((Super absorbent resin)) As the superabsorbent polymer 7, known materials can be used, including partially sodium salt crosslinked acrylic acid polymers, potassium acrylate / acrylamide copolymers, partially sodium salts of starch / acrylic acid polymers, and thermally crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose. Among these, partially sodium salt crosslinked acrylic acid polymers are preferred because they make it easier to maintain the amount of water supplied within a specific range.

[0030] The water absorption capacity of the superabsorbent polymer 7 is 100 g / g or more, preferably 200 g / g or more, more preferably 250 g / g or more, even more preferably 270 g / g or more, and even more preferably 300 g / g or more, from the viewpoint of improving the amount of water absorbed by the water supply body (hereinafter also simply referred to as the amount of water absorbed) and the amount of absorbed water supplied to the outside of the water supply body (hereinafter also simply referred to as the amount of water supplied). Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ease of manufacture, it is 800 g / g or less, preferably 700 g / g or less, more preferably 600 g / g or less, and even more preferably 500 g / g or less. In this specification, the water absorption capacity of the superabsorbent polymer 7 refers to the amount of deionized water absorbed according to JIS K7223-1996.

[0031] The superabsorbent polymer 7 is preferably in the form of particles from the viewpoint of improving water absorption. When the superabsorbent polymer 7 is in the form of particles, the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 7 is preferably 0.25 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.4 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, from the viewpoint of improving the water retention capacity of the water-absorbing body 1. The method for measuring the particle size of the superabsorbent polymer 7 will be described later.

[0032] ((Method for measuring the particle size of superabsorbent polymers)) The particle size of a superabsorbent polymer refers to the maximum length in powder form and can be measured by methods such as sieving, dynamic light scattering, and laser diffraction.

[0033] ((Method for measuring particle size of coated fertilizers)) The particle size of coated fertilizer refers to the maximum length in powder form and can be measured by methods such as sieving, dynamic light scattering, and laser diffraction.

[0034] (holding part) As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the holding portion 53 is located inside the bag body 10. In the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the holding portion 53 is provided on the first base material sheet 51, which is a sheet that constitutes a part of the water supply body 1.

[0035] The holding portion 53 is made of adhesive. The holding portion 53 fixes and holds the scattered coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7. During the manufacture of the water supply body, adhesive is applied to the holding area 16 of the first base sheet 51 to form the holding portion 53. The coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 are scattered and distributed over the entire area of ​​the holding area 16, respectively. Furthermore, the adhesive coating pattern may be a spiral or summit-like pattern with gaps, or a continuous coating pattern without gaps.

[0036] The distribution range of the coated fertilizer 6 and the distribution range of the superabsorbent resin 7 overlap, and the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 are fixed and held in the holding part 53. This makes it less likely for the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 to be unevenly distributed within the bag 10, and allows for more efficient and reliable contact between the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7. As a result, a state in which a water supply mechanism occurs can be stably formed within the water supply body 1, enabling stable water supply.

[0037] Furthermore, because the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 are fixed and held in the holding part 53, even if the water supply body 1 is tilted before water absorption, for example, the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 are less likely to be unevenly distributed within the water supply body 1, making it easier to maintain a uniform thickness within the water supply body 1. As a result, multiple water supply bodies 1 can be stably stacked and easily stored. Moreover, because the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 are held in the holding part 53, even if the bag body 10 is torn, the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 are less likely to leak out of the bag body 10, resulting in a user-friendly water supply body 1.

[0038] Adhesives used for the holding portion 53 include hot melt adhesives, water-based adhesives, and solvent-based adhesives. In particular, from the viewpoint of fixing the powder and preventing detachment after swelling, as described later, hot melt adhesives are preferred for use in the holding portion 53.

[0039] (First base sheet) In the first base sheet 51, a holding portion 53 is formed in the holding area 16 of one surface 511. The other surface 512 may be bonded to the inner surface of the first bag sheet 2 via adhesive 9, as in the water supply body 1 of this embodiment shown in Figure 2, so that the laminate 5 is fixed to the inner surface of the bag 10.

[0040] The first base sheet 51 can be made of a water-permeable material, and known water-permeable materials can be used. For example, as the water-permeable material, one of the water-permeable materials used for the filter 4 of the bag 10 described later can be used. In this embodiment, the water supply body 1 is located between the powder layer 8 containing a superabsorbent resin 7 that holds water for discharge to the outside and the first bag sheet 2 which does not have a water permeable portion. Therefore, the first base sheet 51 does not necessarily have to be made of a water-permeable material and may be made of a water-impermeable material used in the bag 10 described later.

[0041] It is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric as the first base sheet 51. Using a nonwoven fabric for the first base sheet 51 makes it easier to make the thickness of the laminate 5 uniform. That is, because the nonwoven fabric has countless small gaps between its constituent fibers, the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 can easily enter into the small gaps on the surface of the nonwoven fabric (first base sheet 51), and the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 can be securely fixed by the holding part 53 on one side 511 of the nonwoven fabric (first base sheet 51). This makes it possible to more effectively suppress the movement of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7, making it easier to make the thickness of the laminate 5 uniform, and consequently making it easier to make the thickness of the water supply body 1 uniform, thus making it easier to create a configuration that enables stable water supply.

[0042] (Second base sheet) The second base sheet 52 is positioned opposite the first base sheet 51 in the thickness direction, with a holding portion 53 and a powder layer 8 held by the holding portion 53 in between.

[0043] As with the water supply body 1A of the second embodiment described later, it is not necessary to provide the second base sheet 52, but it is preferable to provide the second base sheet 52 which sandwiches the powder layer 8 between the first base sheet 51. By providing the second base sheet 52 and sandwiching the powder layer 8 between the two sheets (first base sheet 51 and second base sheet 52), the movement of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 is further suppressed, making it easier to make the thickness of the laminate 5 uniform, and consequently making it easier to make the thickness of the water supply body 1 uniform, thereby making it possible to create a more stable state in which the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 can come into contact efficiently and reliably. As a result, the environment in which the water supply mechanism occurs can be formed more stably within the water supply body 1.

[0044] Furthermore, by providing the second base sheet 52, in the permeable section 10a, there are two sheets, the film 35 and the second base sheet 52, facing outwards from the powder layer 8 towards the water supply body 1. As a result, compared to the case where there is only one sheet, the permeable section 10a is less likely to tear, and even if the film 35 in the permeable section 10a tears, the presence of the second base sheet 52 helps to suppress leakage of the powder (coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent polymer 7) to the outside.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3(A), the laminated body 5 of the water supply body 1 in this embodiment may be partially bonded to the second base sheet 52 and the first base sheet 51 by a holding portion 53. With this configuration, the movement of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 is further suppressed, making it easier to make the thickness of the laminated body 5 uniform, and consequently making it easier to make the thickness of the water supply body 1 uniform, thus making it possible to create a more stable state in which the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 can come into contact efficiently and reliably. As a result, the environment in which the water supply mechanism occurs can be more stably formed within the water supply body 1.

[0046] From the viewpoint of not inhibiting the swelling of the superabsorbent resin 7 due to water absorption and ensuring sufficient water absorption, it is preferable to use an adhesive in the holding part 53 that has an adhesive strength that easily dissipates the adhesion between the first base sheet 51 and the second base sheet 52 when the superabsorbent resin 7 swells due to water absorption.

[0047] The second base sheet 52 is made of a water-permeable material, and any known water-permeable material can be used. For example, as the water-permeable material, one of the materials listed below as the water-permeable material used for the filter 4 of the bag 10 can be used.

[0048] It is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric as the second base sheet 52. Using a nonwoven fabric for the second base sheet 52 makes it easier to make the thickness of the laminate 5 uniform. That is, because nonwoven fabric is flexible, the nonwoven fabric (second base sheet 52) ​​can easily conform to the uneven shape of the holding part 53, and the first base sheet 51 and the second base sheet 52 can adhere to each other more reliably. As a result, the movement of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 is more effectively suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(B), it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric that is relatively easy to form into a bulky structure, such as a needle-punched nonwoven fabric or an air-through nonwoven fabric, as the nonwoven fabric used for the second base sheet 52, as shown in the laminate 5 in Figure 3(B). Needle-punched nonwoven fabrics and air-through nonwoven fabrics are easy to form into a relatively thick thickness, for example, about 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm, and the thickness of the nonwoven fabric is easily made larger than the particle size of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent polymer 7. By using such a nonwoven fabric with a thickness relatively larger than the particle size of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent polymer 7 as the second base sheet 52, as shown in Figure 3(B), the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be more easily positioned between the granules (coated fertilizer 6, superabsorbent polymer 7) so that the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent polymer 7 are embedded in the second base sheet 52, and the number of adhesion points between the first base sheet 51 and the second base sheet 52 can be increased. As a result, the movement of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent polymer 7 is more effectively suppressed.

[0050] The thickness of the nonwoven fabric is measured as follows: 3.7 gf / m² 2 (36.3 mN / m 2 Under the specified load, the thickness is measured at five or more locations using a constant-pressure thickness measuring instrument (manufactured by TechroCook Co., Ltd., model number PG-11) in accordance with JIS K 6402, and the arithmetic mean of these thicknesses is taken as the thickness of the nonwoven fabric.

[0051] [Bag body] The bag 10 is a water-permeable bag. In this specification, "water-permeable bag" means a bag that is partially or entirely water-permeable. For example, one example is a configuration in which a part is water-permeable and the remaining part is made of a water-impermeable material. Here, the water-permeable part refers to a part through which water can be supplied from the outside to the superabsorbent resin in the water-supplying body, and which can permeate water to an extent that allows the water held by the superabsorbent resin in the water-supplying body to be released to the outside. The water-permeable part can be made of a water-permeable material. The water-permeable part may be part or all of the bag, and in an embodiment in which the water-permeable part is part of the bag, there may be one or more water-permeable parts. From the viewpoint of allowing the water held by the superabsorbent resin in the water-supplying body to be released to the outside, it is preferable that at least a part of the water-permeable part overlaps with the region where the inorganic salt and superabsorbent resin are arranged (holding region).

[0052] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), the bag body 10 comprises a first bag body sheet 2 arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction, and a second bag body sheet 3 having a water permeable portion 10a. The first bag body sheet 2 forms a first surface 101, and the second bag body sheet 3 forms a second surface 102. The first bag body sheet 2 and the second bag body sheet 3 have the same external shape and size. In the water supply body 1, a laminate 5 is placed between the first bag body sheet 2 and the second bag body sheet 3. In plan view, the external shape of the laminate 5 is similar to the external shapes of the first bag body sheet 2 and the second bag body sheet 3, and the external shape of the laminate 5 is smaller than the external shapes of the first bag body sheet 2 and the second bag body sheet 3. The first bag sheet 2 and the second bag sheet 3 are laminated together, and their entire peripheral edges are joined by a sealing portion 11. The laminated body 5 is housed within the internal space of the bag 10 surrounded by the sealing portion 11. The sealing portion 11 is typically formed by joining the first bag sheet 2 and the second bag sheet 3 by heat-pressing.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1(C), in an embodiment in which the water supply body 1 is used for plant cultivation, the permeable portion of the permeable bag body is positioned facing the soil surface, allowing water to be supplied to plants planted in the soil. From the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction of the amount of water supplied from the water supply body 1 due to evaporation, it is preferable that the second surface 102 of the bag body 10 of the water supply body 1, which is positioned facing the soil surface, has a permeable portion, and the first surface 101, which is the opposite surface to the second surface 102, does not have a permeable portion. In other words, it is preferable that the first bag body sheet 2 constituting the first surface 101 is made of a water-impermeable material.

[0054] In this embodiment, a bag 10 in which a portion of the bag body 10 is permeable to water and the remaining portion is made of a water-impermeable material will be described as an example. In the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, a water-permeable portion 10a is provided only in the second bag body sheet 3 that forms the second surface 102, and this portion is permeable to water.

[0055] (Sheet for the first bag) The film 35, which constitutes part of the first bag sheet 2 and the second bag sheet 3 (described in detail later), is made of a water-impermeable material.

[0056] As the water-impermeable material forming the bag 10, known materials can be used. Examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylic acid, cellophane, etc. From the viewpoint of improving heat sealing during manufacturing, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride is preferred.

[0057] The superabsorbent polymer 7 contained within the bag 10 swells upon absorbing water. Even when the size of the bag 10 is reduced, the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 7 due to water absorption is not inhibited, and from the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient water absorption, it is preferable that the water-permeable and water-impermeable materials forming the bag 10 are flexible. From the viewpoint of improving water absorption, the flexural modulus of these materials is preferably 1.5 gf / cm². 2 More preferably, 1.0 gf / cm² 2Hereinafter, more preferably 0.5 gf / cm 2 Hereinafter, even more preferably 0.35 gf / cm 2 or less. As the lower limit value, for example, preferably 0.01 gf / cm 2 or more, more preferably 0.05 gf / cm 2 or more, even more preferably 0.10 gf / cm 2 or more. The method for measuring the bending rigidity ratio of the water-permeable material and the water-impermeable material will be described later.

[0058] (Sheet for the second bag body) As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), the sheet 3 for the second bag body having the water-permeable portion 10a is composed of a film 35 and a filter 4 laminated together.

[0059] The film 35 has an opening 35a formed by punching out a rectangular film in its substantially central portion. The film 35 is made of a water-impermeable material.

[0060] The filter 4 is made of a water-permeable material. As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), in the water supply body 1 of the present embodiment, the filter 4 and the film 35 have the same outer shape and size as the sheet 2 for the first bag body. Therefore, in the seal portion 11, the three layers of the film 35, the filter 4, and the sheet 2 for the first bag body are pressure-bonded and fixed in a laminated state. Note that the outer shape and size of the filter 4 do not have to be the same as those of the sheet 2 for the first bag body and the film 35. For example, they may be smaller than these, as long as they cover at least all of the opening 35a. In this case, the filter 4 and the film 35 may be bonded together by an adhesive, heat sealing, or the like in the overlapping region.

[0061] Known materials can be used as water-permeable materials for the filter 4, the first base sheet 51, and the second base sheet 52, such as nonwoven fabrics and woven fabrics. Examples of materials include natural fibers such as silk, wool, cotton, hemp, and pulp, and synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, and polyurethane. From the viewpoint of improving heat sealing during manufacturing, nonwoven fabrics such as polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, and polyester fibers are preferred.

[0062] The water permeability of a water-permeable material is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving water absorption and water supply, it is preferably 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more, even more preferably 95% or more, and even more preferably 97% or more. The upper limit can be, for example, 100% or less, 99% or less, etc. The method for measuring the water permeability of a water-permeable material will be described later.

[0063] In the second bag sheet 3, the film 35 and the filter 4 are laminated together, so that the filter 4 made of a water-permeable material is exposed at the opening 35a, forming a water-permeable section 10a through which water can pass, while the parts other than the opening 35a (in other words, the parts other than the water-permeable section 10a) are areas through which water cannot pass because the film 35 made of a water-impermeable material is present.

[0064] In the water supply unit 1, the amount of water supplied to the soil and the water supply time can be adjusted by changing the size of the permeable section (in other words, changing the size of the opening 35a) on the surface that is positioned facing the soil surface when in use.

[0065] (Method for measuring the flexural stiffness of water-impermeable film) The flexural modulus was measured using a pure bending tester (Kato Tech Co., Ltd., KES-FB2-S) under conditions of 20°C and 65% relative humidity. A 50mm x 70mm material side was used, with a torque sensitivity of 20gf·cm and a curvature of +2cm. -1 The measurements used were from [location / location].

[0066] (Method for measuring the water permeability of water-permeable nonwoven fabrics) A 20cm x 20cm water-permeable nonwoven fabric was placed on top of a 300ml plastic cup and secured with a rubber band. 100ml of water was poured over it, and the amount of water that permeated into the plastic cup was measured after 1 minute. The water permeability was calculated from the amount of water that permeated relative to the amount of water poured from above (100ml).

[0067] [glue] As described in the third embodiment later, it is not necessary to provide an adhesive 9 to bond the bag body 10 and the laminate 5 together, but it is preferable that the bag body 10 and the laminate 5 are bonded and fixed together by the adhesive 9, as shown in the water supply body 1 of this embodiment in Figure 2. By providing the adhesive 9, the movement of the laminate 5 within the bag body 10 is suppressed, the entire laminate 5 is less likely to twist within the bag body 10, and the thickness of the water supply body 1 can be made more stable and uniform.

[0068] [Details of the powder layer before and during water absorption]

[0069] In the state of the water-absorbing body 1 before use (before water absorption), the superabsorbent polymer 7 may be entirely fixed and held by the holding part 53, or a portion of it may be fixed and held by the holding part 53 while the rest is not fixed by the holding part 53. From the viewpoint of preventing the superabsorbent resin 7 from becoming unevenly distributed within the water supply body 1 due to tilting during transport, etc., and enabling stable water supply, it is preferable that at least a portion of the superabsorbent resin 7 is fixed and held in the holding part 53 in the state of the water supply body 1 before water absorption. In the water-absorbing water-supplying body 1, the superabsorbent resin 7 that was fixed and held in the holding part 53 before water absorption swells and becomes more likely to detach from the holding part 53. As a result, the amount of superabsorbent resin 7 fixed to the holding part 53 is less than the amount of superabsorbent resin 7 that is not fixed to the holding part 53. As the swollen superabsorbent resin 7 detaches from the holding part 53, the swollen superabsorbent resin 7 inside the bag body 10 becomes more mobile within the water-supplying body 1 and is more likely to be evenly distributed. In the water-absorbing water-supplying body 1, the superabsorbent polymer 7 that has swollen with water will have a larger particle size (volume) than the coated fertilizer 6. From the viewpoint of efficiently bringing the coated fertilizer 6 and the swollen superabsorbent polymer 7 into contact and ensuring a sufficient amount of water absorption, it is preferable to make the total volume of the swollen superabsorbent polymer 7 larger than the total volume of the coated fertilizer 6, and it is preferable to adjust the supply amounts of the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent polymer 7 to achieve this configuration.

[0070] In the state of the water supply unit 1 before use (before water absorption), the coated fertilizer 6 may be entirely fixed and held by the holding part 53, or some of it may be fixed and held by the holding part 53 while the rest is not fixed by the holding part 53. From the viewpoint of creating a more stable environment within the water supply body 1 where the above water supply mechanism occurs, it is preferable that in both the pre-water absorption and post-water absorption states of the water supply body 1, the amount of coated fertilizer 6 fixed to the holding part 53 is greater than the amount of coated fertilizer 6 not fixed to the holding part 53. The phrase "the amount of coated fertilizer 6 held in the holding part 53 is greater than the amount of coated fertilizer 6 not held in the holding part 53" also includes the form in which there is no coated fertilizer 6 not held in the holding part 53. With this configuration, the coated fertilizer 6 not fixed to the holding part 53 is less likely to aggregate, and it becomes easier to have a form in which coated fertilizer 6 is always fixed to the holding part 53 throughout the entire holding area 16, making it easier for the coated fertilizer 6 to be evenly fixed and distributed in the holding area 16. As a result, in the water-absorbing water-supplying body 1, the presence of the coated fertilizer 6 fixed to the holding part 53 ensures that the coated fertilizer 6, which is evenly fixed and distributed in the holding area 16, and the evenly distributed swollen superabsorbent resin 7 have a reliable opportunity to come into contact. In addition, by making the total volume of the swollen superabsorbent resin 7 larger than the total volume of the coated fertilizer 6, the coated fertilizer 6 and the swollen superabsorbent resin 7 come into contact more easily, and an environment in which the water supply mechanism occurs can be more stably formed within the water-supplying body 1.

[0071] Thus, in the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, from the viewpoint of enabling more stable water supply, the coated fertilizer 6 fixed to the holding part 53 is ensured to be present in the state of the water supply body 1 after water absorption, and furthermore, the amount of water-absorbing and swollen superabsorbent resin 7 fixed to the holding part 53 is less than the amount of swollen superabsorbent resin 7 not held by the holding part 53.

[0072] In order to produce the water supply body with the above configuration, the manufacturing method of the water supply body of this embodiment, which will be described later, involves applying an adhesive (holding portion 53) to one surface 511 of the first base sheet 51, and then sprinkling and arranging the coating fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 in that order on the one surface 511 to form a powder layer 8.

[0073] In other words, by placing the coated fertilizer 6 on the adhesive (holding part 53) before the superabsorbent resin 7, the coated fertilizer 6 can be securely fixed and held in place by the holding part 53, ensuring that the coated fertilizer 6 is securely fixed to the holding part 53 in both the pre-water absorption and post-water absorption states. As a result, the coated fertilizer 6 is more easily distributed evenly within the water supply body 1 in both the pre-water absorption and post-water absorption states. Furthermore, by placing the superabsorbent resin 7 after placing the coated fertilizer 6, at least some of the superabsorbent resin 7 is held and fixed by the holding part 53, while it is more likely that some of the superabsorbent resin 7 will not be fixed to the holding part 53. The presence of superabsorbent resin 7 that is not fixed to the holding part 53 ensures that some of the superabsorbent resin 7 will not have its swelling due to water absorption hindered by the holding part 53, making it easier to ensure a sufficient amount of water absorption, and also making it easier for the superabsorbent resin 7 to be evenly distributed inside the water supply body 1 when it is absorbing water. In addition, since at least some of the superabsorbent resin 7 is fixed and held by the holding part 53 in the state of the water supply body 1 before water absorption, even if the position of the water supply body 1 becomes tilted during transport or other reasons, the superabsorbent resin 7 is less likely to be unevenly distributed inside the water supply body 1. In this way, the water supply body 1, which is manufactured by arranging coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 in that order on a holding part 53 made of adhesive, is easily held in a uniform thickness before water absorption and has excellent accumulation properties, and after water absorption, the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 come into efficient contact, and a stable environment for the water supply mechanism to occur is easily formed inside the water supply body 1.

[0074] [Supply volume of coated fertilizers and superabsorbent resins] The amount of coating fertilizer and superabsorbent resin can be appropriately set according to the size of the water supply unit 1. An example of the amount of coating fertilizer and superabsorbent resin used in a water supply body 1 with a vertical length a of 6 cm, a horizontal length b of 8 cm, and a thickness of 2-3 mm is given. The amount of coated fertilizer is preferably 0.08 to 0.55 g, and more preferably 0.15 to 0.40 g. The amount of superabsorbent polymer is preferably 0.06 to 0.19 g, and more preferably 0.10 to 0.15 g.

[0075] "shape" As in the water supply body 1 of this embodiment, the external shape of the laminate 5 and the external shape of the bag 10 may be similar in a plan view. In the laminate 5, a holding portion 53 for holding the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 is provided over the entire area of ​​the other surface 512 of the first base sheet 51. Because the external shape of the laminate 5 and the external diameter shape of the bag 10 are similar, the coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7 can be efficiently contained in the bag 10 in larger quantities while being held by the holding portion 53. This makes it easier to increase the amount of water absorbed.

[0076] Instructions for using the water supply unit The method of using the water supply unit 1 described above will now be explained. First, immerse the water supply unit 1 in water for 5 minutes to allow it to absorb water. Place the water-soaked water supply unit 1 in a pot where a plant is growing, with the second surface 102 of the water supply unit 1, that is, the surface with the water permeable part 10a, facing the soil, and cultivate the plant. For about one month after starting to use the water supply unit, it is not necessary to supply water to the plant.

[0077] Thus, the water supply body of the present invention can be used for a long period of time without further watering after the initial water absorption, and can be used for various applications requiring long-term water supply. The method of placing the water supply body only needs to allow water released from the permeable section 10a to be supplied to the soil, and in addition to being placed directly on the soil surface, it can also be placed on top of other water supply bodies. Furthermore, the water supply body may be used by burying it in the soil.

[0078] Water supply unit manufacturing equipment An example of a water supply body manufacturing apparatus used to manufacture the water supply body 1 described above will be explained using Figure 4.

[0079] As shown in Figure 4, the water supply body manufacturing apparatus 100 has a laminate manufacturing section P1 and a bag body and water supply body manufacturing section P2.

[0080] Laminate manufacturing unit P1 is where laminates 5 are manufactured. Laminate manufacturing unit P1 is equipped with a first coating machine 50, a coating fertilizer supply machine 60, a superabsorbent resin supply machine 70, and a first cutting machine 80. Laminate manufacturing unit P1 is also supplied with a first base material sheet roll 510 and a second base material sheet roll 520. The first coating machine 50 applies an adhesive that will form a holding portion 53 onto one side 511 of the first base sheet roll 510. The coated fertilizer dispenser 60 spreads and supplies coated fertilizer 6 onto one surface 511 coated with adhesive, which serves as the holding part 53. The superabsorbent resin dispenser 70 sprays and supplies the superabsorbent resin 7 onto one of the surfaces 511 coated with adhesive, which will serve as the holding portion 53. The first cutting machine 80 cuts the first laminated sheet 501, which has a holding section 53, a coated fertilizer 6, and a superabsorbent resin 7 arranged between the first base sheet roll 510 and the second base sheet roll 520, to form a laminated body 5. The formed laminated body 5 is supplied to the bag body and water supply body manufacturing section P2.

[0081] In the bag and water supply unit manufacturing section P2, a water supply unit 1 is manufactured in which a laminate 5 is housed inside a bag 10. The bag and water supply unit manufacturing section P2 is equipped with a second coating machine 90, a second cutting machine 81, a sealing machine 82, and a third cutting machine 83. The bag and water supply unit manufacturing section P2 is also supplied with a laminate 5, a first bag sheet roll 20, a filter roll 40, and a film roll 350. The second coating machine 90 applies adhesive 9 onto the first bag sheet raw material 20. The second cutting machine 81 partially cuts the film roll 350 into a rectangular shape, forming an opening 35a. The sealing machine 82 seals the second laminated sheet 502, which is formed by laminating a second bag sheet roll 30, which is made up of a film roll 350 having an opening 35a and a filter roll 40, and a first bag sheet roll 20 coated with adhesive 9, with the laminate 5 placed between them, thereby forming an annular sealing portion 110 surrounding each laminate 5. The third cutting machine 83 cuts the second laminated sheet 502 to form the water supply body 1. Typically, the cutting position is set so that when the water supply body 1 is formed, the outer shape of the water supply body 1 is similar to the outer shape of the annular seal portion 110. For example, the cutting position may be set so as to surround the seal portion 110, or the cutting position may be set on the annular seal portion 110 so that a seal portion remains around the entire periphery of the water supply body 1 after cutting. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the cutting position is set on the seal portion 110. In this embodiment, the seal portion (seal portion 11) of the water supply body 1 after cutting is narrower in width than the seal portion 110 before cutting.

[0082] Method for manufacturing water supply units Referring to Figure 4, the manufacturing method for the water supply body 1 using the water supply body manufacturing apparatus 100 will be explained according to the manufacturing flow shown in Figure 5. "ST" stands for "step".

[0083] As shown in Figure 4, first, an adhesive that will form a holding portion 53 is applied to one side 511 of the first base material sheet roll 510 by the first coating machine 50 (ST1). Next, the coated fertilizer (inorganic salt) 6 is spread over the entire surface 511 of the holding part 53, which is coated with adhesive, by the coated fertilizer supply machine 60 (ST2). After the application of the coated fertilizer 6, the superabsorbent resin 7 is applied to the entire surface 511 of the holding part 53 by the superabsorbent resin supply machine 70 (ST3). Next, the second base sheet roll 520 is laminated onto the first base sheet roll 510 on which the holding part 53, coated fertilizer 6, and superabsorbent resin 7 are arranged, thereby forming the first laminated sheet 501 (ST4). Next, the first laminated sheet 501 is pressed and cut into a predetermined shape by the first cutting machine 80 to form the laminated body 5 (ST5). This forms the laminated body 5 shown in Figure 3(A). The first base material sheet 51 is formed by cutting the first base material sheet roll 510. The second base material sheet 52 is formed by cutting the second base material sheet roll 520.

[0084] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the adhesive 9 is applied onto the first bag sheet raw material 20 by the second coating machine 90 (ST6). Next, the laminate 5 is placed on the first bag-type sheet roll 20 to which the adhesive 9 has been applied (ST7). Next, the filter material 40 is laminated onto the first bag material 20 on which the laminated body 5 is placed (ST8). Next, the film roll 350 having an opening 35a formed by the second cutting machine 81 is laminated onto the filter roll 40 (ST9), forming the second laminated sheet 502. The film roll 350 and filter roll 40, which overlap each other and have openings 35a, constitute the second bag sheet roll 30, and the openings 35a are covered by the filter roll 40 to form a water-permeable portion 10a. The series of steps ST8 and ST9 are steps of laminating the second bag sheet roll 30, which has a water-permeable portion 10a, onto the first bag sheet roll 20 with a laminate 5 in between. Next, the sealing machine 82 partially seals the second laminated sheet 502, forming annular sealing portions 110 surrounding each laminated body 5 (ST10). Next, the second laminated sheet 502 is cut into a predetermined shape by the third cutting machine 83, and the water supply body 1 is completed. The first bag sheet 2 is formed by cutting the first bag sheet raw material 20. The second bag sheet 3 is formed by cutting the second bag sheet raw material 30.

[0085] In this embodiment, an example was given in which the second bag sheet raw material 30 has a water-permeable portion. However, in addition to this, or instead, the first bag sheet raw material 20 may also have a water-permeable portion.

[0086] <Other Embodiments> Other embodiments will be described below. In all embodiments, as in the first embodiment, the distribution range of the coated fertilizer 6 and the distribution range of the superabsorbent resin 7 overlap, and the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 are fixed and held in the holding part 53. This makes it less likely for the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 to be unevenly distributed within the bag 10, and makes it easier for the coated fertilizer 6 and the superabsorbent resin 7 to come into contact more efficiently and reliably. As a result, a state in which a water supply mechanism occurs can be stably formed within the water supply body 1, enabling stable water supply.

[0087] Furthermore, in any of the other embodiments described below, as in the first embodiment, the coated fertilizer and superabsorbent resin are held in the retaining part, making it easier to maintain a uniform thickness in the water supply body and to accumulate the water supply body. Moreover, because the coated fertilizer and superabsorbent resin are held in the retaining part, even if the bag is torn, the coated fertilizer and superabsorbent resin are less likely to leak out of the bag, resulting in a water supply body that is easy to use.

[0088] 《Second Embodiment》 In the water supply body 1 of the first embodiment, the laminate 5 was provided with a second base material sheet 52, but it is not necessary to provide the second base material sheet 52, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B) of the laminate 5A of the water supply body 1A of this embodiment.

[0089] 《Third Embodiment》 In the first embodiment, the water supply body 1 was equipped with adhesive 9, but it is not necessary to provide adhesive 9, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B) of this embodiment, water supply body 1B. Furthermore, the water supply body 1A of the second embodiment may also be configured without adhesive 9.

[0090] 《Fourth Embodiment》 In the first to third embodiments, examples were given in which the sheet on which the holding portion 53, the coated fertilizer 6, and the superabsorbent resin 7 are provided is a sheet that constitutes part of the water supply body and is a sheet that constitutes part of the laminate, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0091] For example, as shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the water supply body 1C of this embodiment, on which the holding portion 53, the coated fertilizer 6, and the superabsorbent resin 7 are provided, may be a sheet that constitutes a part of the water supply body and may be a first bag body sheet 2 that constitutes a part of the bag body 10.

[0092] As shown in Figure 8, in the water supply body 1C, a retaining portion 53 made of adhesive is provided on the inner surface of the first bag sheet 2, and the powder layer 8 (coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7) is held in the retaining portion 53, and a second base sheet 52 is provided so as to cover them. The retaining portion 53, the powder layer 8 and the second base sheet 52 constitute the laminate 5C.

[0093] In the water supply body 1C shown in Figure 8, no adhesive is provided between the bag body 10 and the laminated body 5, but adhesive 9 may be provided as in the water supply body 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the water supply body 1C shown in Figure 8, the laminate 5C does not necessarily have to include the second base sheet 52. However, it is preferable to provide the second base sheet 52 from the viewpoint of making the portion of the film 35 that becomes the water permeable portion 10a less likely to tear, and even if that portion does tear, making it less likely for the powder (coated fertilizer 6 and superabsorbent resin 7) to leak to the outside.

[0094] 《Fifth Embodiment》 The laminated body 5 may be housed inside a double-layered bag, as shown in Figure 9, for example, in the water supply body 1D. The water supply body 1D has a first surface 101D and a second surface 102D, and a water permeable portion 10Da is provided on the first surface 101. The water supply body 1D has an outer bag 10D, an inner bag 15, and a laminated body 5. The inner bag 15 comprises a first inner sheet 13 and a second inner sheet 14, each made of a water-permeable material. The first inner sheet 13 and the second inner sheet 14 are laminated together, and their entire periphery is sealed, so that the inner bag 15 is bag-shaped. The laminated body 5 is housed inside the inner bag 15. The second inner sheet 14 also serves as a filter that forms the water-permeable portion 10Da. The outer bag 10D comprises a film 35 having an opening 35a, a second inner sheet 14 covering the opening 35a and forming a water-permeable portion 10Da, and a first bag sheet 2. The film 35 and the second inner sheet 14 form the second bag sheet 3D. In plan view, the film 35 and the first bag sheet 2 have the same external shape and size, while the second inner sheet 14 is smaller than the film 35 and the first bag sheet 2. The seal portion 11D provided around the entire periphery of the outer bag 10D is formed by overlapping and joining the film 35 and the first bag sheet 2.

[0095] 《Sixth Embodiment》 In each of the first to fourth embodiments of the water supply body, an example was given in which the water permeable section is composed of a water-impermeable film having an opening and a filter made of a water-permeable material covering the opening. However, the water-impermeable film may also be provided with holes of a size that prevents the coated fertilizer and superabsorbent resin from passing through, and these holes may be used as the water permeable section.

[0096] 《Seventh Embodiment》 In each of the first to fourth embodiments, examples were given in which a partially permeable section is provided on one side of a permeable bag. However, for example, the second bag sheet constituting one side of the bag may be made solely of a water-permeable material, and the entire area of ​​one side may function as a permeable section.

[0097] Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, examples were given in which the other side of a permeable bag, which does not have a permeable section, is made of a water-impermeable material and does not have a permeable section. However, the other side of the bag may be configured to have a permeable section partially or entirely, or to have a permeable section on both sides of the bag. With such a configuration, water can be supplied from both sides of the water supply body, and in addition to being used by placing the water supply body on the soil, it can also be used by burying the water supply body in the soil.

[0098] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D…Water supply body 2…Sheet for the first bag (sheet that constitutes part of the water supply unit) 6…Super absorbent resin 7…Inorganic salts, coated fertilizers 10...Bag body 10a...Water permeable part 51...First base material sheet (sheet that constitutes part of the water supply unit) 53...Holding part

Claims

1. A water supply body comprising a bag having a water-permeable portion, and a superabsorbent resin and an inorganic salt contained within the bag, The bag body is provided with a holding portion that is located inside the bag and is on a sheet that constitutes a part of the water-absorbing body, and that fixes and holds a portion or more of the superabsorbent resin and the inorganic salt, The distribution range where the superabsorbent resin exists and the distribution range where the inorganic salt exists overlap. Water supply body.

2. A portion of the superabsorbent resin is not fixed to the holding portion. The water supply body according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned sheet is a first base material sheet disposed inside the bag, The laminate, consisting of the first base sheet, the holding portion, the superabsorbent resin, and the inorganic salt, is placed inside the bag. The water supply body according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The laminate further comprises a second base sheet disposed opposite to the first base sheet, The holding portion, the superabsorbent resin, and the inorganic salt are arranged between the first base sheet and the second base sheet. The water supply body according to claim 3.

5. The first base sheet and the second base sheet are partially bonded together by the holding portion. The water supply body according to claim 4.

6. The first base sheet is made of nonwoven fabric. The water supply body according to claim 3.

7. At least one of the first base sheet and the second base sheet is made of nonwoven fabric. The water supply body according to claim 4.

8. The laminate is fixed to the bag body by adhesive. The water supply body according to claim 3.

9. When the water supply body is viewed in the thickness direction, the external shape of the laminate and the external shape of the bag are similar. The water supply body according to claim 3.

10. The bag has a first surface and a second surface facing each other in the thickness direction of the water supply body. The water-permeable portion is provided on only one of the first and second surfaces. The water supply body according to claim 1.

11. The inorganic salt is contained in the coated fertilizer and housed within the bag. The water supply body according to claim 1 or 2.

12. A method for manufacturing a water-supplying body comprising a bag having a water-permeable portion, and a superabsorbent resin and an inorganic salt contained within the bag, The first step involves applying adhesive to one side of the base material sheet roll, The steps include: sprinkling an inorganic salt on the one surface coated with the adhesive; The steps include: after spraying the inorganic salt, spraying a superabsorbent resin onto the one surface to which the adhesive has been applied; The steps include: cutting the first base sheet raw material, on which the inorganic salt and the superabsorbent resin have been scattered, into a predetermined shape to produce a laminate; The steps include placing the laminate on the first sheet material for the bag, The steps include laminating the second sheet roll for a bag onto the first sheet roll for a bag with the laminate in between, The step of cutting the first bag sheet raw material and the second bag sheet raw material with the laminate in between. Equipped with, The first sheet material for the bag and / or the second sheet material for the bag have a water-permeable portion. A method for manufacturing a water supply unit.

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