Nonwoven

Abstract

To provide a nonwoven fabric suppressed in paper powder, and maintained in sufficient liquid-absorbing property even if using any state of dry and wet without worsening the pollution of an apparatus.SOLUTION: A nonwoven fabric is formed by essentially containing a pulp fiber web produced by an air-laid method, where the pulp fiber web contains a wet paper strengthening agent, and an anionic water-soluble polymer, the wet paper strengthening agent is polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE), the addition amount of the wet paper strengthening agent to a pulp fiber absolute dry weight of the pulp fiber web is 0.35-2.00 wt.%, and the addition amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer is 0.1-1.0 wt.%.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric formed by essentially containing pulp fibers, for example, a nonwoven fabric formed only of pulp fibers and a composite nonwoven fabric of pulp fibers and a spunbonded nonwoven fabric. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a composite nonwoven fabric made of a pulp fiber web and a spunbonded nonwoven fabric has both the liquid absorbency based on the pulp fibers and the strength based on the spunbonded nonwoven fabric, and is therefore widely used for a variety of purposes, such as industrial wipers such as rags, and personal wipers such as hand towels and towels.

[0003] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pulp fiber web and a spunbond nonwoven fabric are layered and then integrated by a hydroentanglement process in which a high-pressure water jet (water flow) is sprayed onto them. Here, the spunbond nonwoven fabric has excellent strength and functions as a backing layer for the composite nonwoven fabric produced. Meanwhile, the pulp fiber web has excellent liquid absorption properties. Therefore, such a composite nonwoven fabric can be provided to consumers as an excellent composite nonwoven fabric that combines the advantages of a pulp fiber web that has good absorbency for both aqueous and oil-based liquids and a spunbond nonwoven fabric that has excellent strength. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2533260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned composite nonwoven fabric contains a pulp fiber web, and therefore has the characteristic of excellent liquid absorption when in use. However, the falling off of paper powder (fine fibers) from the pulp fiber web during both dry and wet use is recognized as a problem that needs to be improved. It has been known that the falling off of paper powder can be suppressed by using a wet method or a press treatment, but this leads to new problems such as a decrease in the liquid absorption performance of the pulp fiber web. In addition, when chemicals are used to suppress the falling off, the problem of equipment contamination arises. Naturally, the same problems also arise in the case of a nonwoven fabric formed only from a pulp fiber web.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric that suppresses paper dust and maintains sufficient liquid absorbency regardless of whether it is used in a dry or wet state, without significantly worsening the dirt on equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object can be achieved by a nonwoven fabric formed essentially containing a pulp fiber web produced by an airlaid method, characterized in that the pulp fiber web contains a wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer, the wet strength agent is polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), and the amount of the wet strength agent added is 0.35 to 2.00 wt % and the amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer added is 0.1 to 1.0 wt % relative to the bone dry weight of the pulp fibers in the pulp fiber web.

[0008] The anionic water-soluble polymer is preferably carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).

[0009] The carboxymethyl cellulose preferably has a degree of etherification (DS) of 0.75 or less.

[0010] It is preferable that the amount of the wet strength agent added is 0.50 to 1.50% by weight, and the amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer added is 0.35 to 0.80% by weight.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the nonwoven fabric further includes a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, and the pulp fiber web is laminated and integrated onto the spunbonded nonwoven fabric to form a composite nonwoven fabric.

[0012] The above object can also be achieved by a method for producing a nonwoven fabric, comprising any one of the above methods, the method including at least a hydroentanglement step of hydroentanglement-treating the pulp fiber web, and a drying step of drying the nonwoven fabric in a wet state after the hydroentanglement step. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a nonwoven fabric can be provided which suppresses the generation of paper dust in both dry and wet conditions, while maintaining sufficient liquid absorbency, without significantly worsening the soiling of equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an apparatus suitable for producing a nonwoven fabric according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The nonwoven fabric according to the present invention will now be described. The inventors have confirmed that when a pulp fiber web contains a wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer, fiber dropout (paper dust) can be dramatically suppressed while maintaining sufficient liquid absorbency, and have arrived at the present invention. The nonwoven fabric formed including the pulp fiber web according to the present invention may be a nonwoven fabric formed only of the pulp fiber web, or a composite nonwoven fabric including a spunbond nonwoven fabric together with the pulp fiber web. Here, it is preferable that the wet strength agent is added in an amount of 0.35 to 2.00% by weight based on the bone dry weight of the pulp fibers in the pulp fiber web, and the anionic water-soluble polymer is added in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight based on the bone dry weight of the pulp fibers in the pulp fiber web.

[0016] It is preferable that the amount of the wet strength agent is 0.50 to 1.50% by weight, and the amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer is 0.35 to 0.80% by weight, and the weight ratio of the anionic water-soluble polymer to the wet strength agent is 10 to 100% by weight.

[0017] Here, it is preferable to use polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), which is known as a wet strength agent in the papermaking process, as the wet strength agent, and it is preferable to use carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the anionic water-soluble polymer.

[0018] The nonwoven fabric of the present invention contains a wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer on the pulp fiber web side, and not only does the commonly known wet strength agent impart water resistance to cellulose (pulp fibers) through self-crosslinking and the anionic water-soluble polymer strengthen the hydrogen bonds between cellulose (pulp fibers), but the wet strength agent and the anionic water-soluble polymer also form a crosslinked structure, allowing the wet strength agent to function (act) effectively, effectively preventing the pulp fibers from falling off while maintaining water absorption performance. When the anionic water-soluble polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), it is preferable to set the degree of etherification (DS) of the carboxymethyl cellulose to 0.75 or less. If the degree of etherification exceeds 0.75, the water solubility increases, and the CMC tends to be dissolved in water and washed away during the dehydration and drying processes, resulting in poor paper dust suppression effect. It is preferable to set the viscosity of this carboxymethyl cellulose at 20 mPa·s or less when preparing a 1% aqueous solution. If the viscosity exceeds 20 mPa·s, for example, when spraying with a sprayer, it is not possible to control the amount added at an appropriate pressure and concentration from the nozzle, making it difficult to apply the liquid uniformly to the nonwoven fabric. In addition, highly viscous liquids tend to accumulate during operation and become solid stains, which can be an inconvenience.

[0019] A composite nonwoven fabric formed by including a spunbond nonwoven fabric together with a pulp fiber web will be described below as a nonwoven fabric of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A manufacturing apparatus suitable for manufacturing a composite nonwoven fabric will be described with reference to FIG. The schematic configuration of a composite nonwoven fabric manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described. The manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is provided with an airlaid device 2 for supplying a pulp fiber web on the upstream side, a spunbond nonwoven fabric supplying device 3 for supplying a spunbond nonwoven fabric, and a suction device 4. The suction device 4 is disposed below the airlaid device 2 so as to face it. In the web transport direction TD, downstream of these devices 2, 3, and 4 are arranged, in this order from the upstream side, a hydroentanglement device 5 that sprays water jets for hydroentanglement treatment, a suction device 6 for dehydration treatment, and a dryer 7. Downstream of the dryer 7 is provided a winding device 8 for winding up the continuously produced composite nonwoven fabric (hereinafter also referred to as composite nonwoven fabric WP). 1 shows a preferred example in which a spunbond nonwoven fabric supplying device 3 is provided to produce a composite nonwoven fabric using a spunbond nonwoven fabric, but the present invention is not limited to this example. If the design is changed to a facility that supplies pulp fibers directly onto a conveying wire without using a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a nonwoven fabric made only of a pulp fiber web can be obtained.

[0020] The airlaid apparatus 2 includes a defibrator 21 that defibrates raw pulp RP, which is a sheet-like material in which fibers are densely packed together, into pulp fibers, and a duct 22 that is equipped with a blower (not shown) and transports the defibrated pulp fibers PF to an airlaid hopper 23.

[0021] In addition, an airlaid hopper 23 is disposed downstream of the duct 22. Inside this airlaid hopper 23, the pulp fibers in a defibrated state descend while being dispersed, and are designed to gradually pile up at a stacking position 24 set on the lower surface to form a pulp fiber web PFW. As described above, the airlaid apparatus 2 is equipment capable of supplying a pulp fiber web in a dry manner, and can reduce equipment costs compared to equipment that manufactures a pulp fiber web in a wet manner by applying a wet papermaking method. Also, in the airlaid apparatus 2, the entire process from pulp defibration to dispersion and descent is a closed space, preventing the inclusion of foreign matter, so the inclusion of foreign matter can be kept overwhelmingly low compared to when a pulp fiber web is supplied by a wet papermaking method.

[0022] A suction device 4 is disposed facing the lower side of the stacking position 24. More specifically, the suction device 4 has a suction section 42 on the upper surface of an apparatus main body 41, and the suction section 42 is set with respect to the stacking position 24 so as to apply a suction force (negative pressure) to the pulp fiber web PFW. 1 shows an example in which the pulp fiber web PFW is formed by arranging the airlaid hopper 23 and the suction device main body 41 in a single stage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the airlaid hopper 23 and the suction device main body 41 may be arranged in two or more stages depending on the basis weight (basis weight) and production speed of the pulp fiber web PFW.

[0023] A transport wire 43 for transporting the web is disposed around the suction device 4. The transport wire 43 is disposed so that the pulp fiber web PFW on which the pulp fibers PF are accumulated at the stacking position 24 can be placed and transports the web downstream. However, the pulp fiber web PFW is not placed directly on the transport wire 43. This will become clear from the explanation given later. The conveying wire 43 is formed in an open mesh form so that the suction force of the suction portion 42 extends to the opposite side (upper side).

[0024] A spunbond nonwoven fabric supplying device 3 is disposed below the airlaid device 2 and upstream of the suction device 4. A previously prepared spunbond nonwoven fabric SW is set in the spunbond nonwoven fabric supplying device 3 in a roll shape. That is, as described above, the designed spunbond nonwoven fabric SW is wound up in a roll shape during production, and this is pulled out from the spunbond nonwoven fabric supplying device 3 and transported to the stacking position 24 on the transport wire 43 described above.

[0025] The above-mentioned pulp fiber web PFW is placed on the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW located at the stacking position 24. At this time, the suction force by the suction section 42 of the suction device 4 passes through the conveying wire 43 at the stacking position 24 and acts on the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW and the pulp fiber web PFW thereon. Thus, the preliminary laminate PWeb (laminate web) in which the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW and the pulp fiber web PFW are laminated is conveyed downstream. When the preliminary laminate PWeb is formed as described above, the amount of the pulp fiber web PFW supplied onto the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW is controlled, so that the basis weight of the pulp fiber web PFW contained in the composite nonwoven fabric produced by this apparatus can be set to, for example, 30.0 to 125.0 g / m 2 It is desirable to design the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW so that the ratio of the pulp fiber web is higher than that of conventional general composite nonwoven fabrics. The basis weight of the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW is, for example, 10.0 to 40.0 g / m 2 The composite nonwoven fabric (spunbond nonwoven fabric SW + pulp fiber web PFW) produced has a weight of, for example, 40.0 to 165.0 g / m 2 It is preferable to set the basis weight within a desired range by appropriately adjusting the conveying speed of the pulp fiber web and the supply amount per hour of the pulp fiber web PFW and checking the basis weight of the pulp fiber web PFW of the manufactured composite nonwoven fabric. The conveying speed of the pulp fiber web is preferably, for example, 150 to 300 m / min.

[0026] The above-mentioned preliminary laminate PWeb is maintained in a laminated state by being suction-compressed by the suction force of the suction device 4. At this time, the fibers of the upper pulp fiber web PFW are in a dense state. However, if the preliminary laminate PWeb is transported and fed into the downstream hydroentangling device 5 in this state, there is a risk that a part of the pulp fibers PF will be blown up by the water jet (high-pressure water flow). Therefore, in the present manufacturing apparatus 1, there are provided clamping rollers 28 for sandwiching the preliminary laminate PWeb from above and below to stabilize the placement state of the pulp fiber web PFW on the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW, and a pre-wetting device 30 for applying moisture to prevent the fibers from scattering upstream of the hydroentangling device 5. The pre-wetting device 30 preferably includes a spray nozzle 31 for spraying water mist from above the preliminary laminate PWeb, and a suction device 32 for applying suction force from the underside of the preliminary laminate PWeb (i.e., the underside of the pulp fiber web PFW).

[0027] 1 shows an example in which the pre-wetting device 30 is provided as a new device before the hydroentanglement device 5 as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. The design of the hydroentanglement device 5 may be modified so that the first set of a plurality of sets each consisting of a water jet head 51 and a suction device 52 (described later) is used as the pre-wetting device 30. In this case, adjustments may be made so that low-pressure water mist is sprayed from the first water jet head 51. In the case of a hydroentanglement device 5 that has a sufficient number of sets of water jet heads 51 and suction devices 52 to perform the hydroentanglement treatment, using the leading water jet head 51 and suction device 52 as a pre-wetting device as described above is effective in reducing equipment costs.

[0028] Then, in the hydroentangling device 5, the entanglement of the pulp fibers is promoted by spraying a high-pressure water jet onto the preliminary laminate PWeb that has been treated by the clamping rollers 28 and the pre-wetting device 30, which are the pre-treatment section. This promotes integration of the pulp fiber web PFW layer located on the upper side with the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW layer located on the lower side (hydroentangling treatment). The hydroentangling device 5 exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 has water jet heads 51 arranged in multiple stages (four stages are shown in FIG. 1) along the conveyance direction TD. 1 does not show the nozzles provided on the water jet head 51 extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction TD (web width direction CD), but multiple water jet nozzles are arranged at appropriate positions in the width direction. The water jet nozzle hole diameter φ is preferably 0.06 to 0.15 mm. The interval between the water jet nozzles is preferably 0.4 to 1.0 mm.

[0029] The water pressure during the hydroentanglement treatment is desirably set in consideration of the basis weights of the pulp fiber web PFW and the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW, and is preferably selected within the range of, for example, 1 to 30 MPa.

[0030] A suction device 52 is disposed opposite the water jet head 51. A high-pressure water jet from the water jet head 51 is sprayed onto the pulp fiber web PFW located on the upper side, while the suction force of the suction device 52 is applied to the lower side of the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW located on the lower side. It is presumed that the cooperative action of the water jet head 51 and the suction device 52 creates a state in which the pulp fibers on the pulp fiber web PFW side penetrate into the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW on the lower side, or penetrate through the spunbond nonwoven fabric SW to reach the opposite side. This action promotes integration of the two layers.

[0031] The hydroentangling device 5 is also provided with a conveying wire 55. The conveying wire 55 receives the preliminary laminate PWeb downstream of the pre-treatment units 28 and 30, and conveys it into the hydroentangling device 5. The conveying wire 55 is provided so as to pass between the water jet head 51 and the suction device 52 of the hydroentangling device 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side. Therefore, the preliminary laminate PWeb transported on the transport wire 55 undergoes more hydroentanglement treatment as it moves downstream in the transport direction TD, and by the time it leaves the hydroentanglement device 5, sufficient entanglement treatment is achieved between the upper pulp fiber web PFW layer and the lower spunbond nonwoven fabric SW layer. Immediately after leaving the hydroentangling device 5, the composite nonwoven fabric is in a wet state, and the bonds between the pulp fibers etc. are not yet sufficiently established.

[0032] 1, a suction device 6 and a dryer 7 are provided downstream of the hydroentanglement device 5 to perform a dehydration process to suck and remove the water remaining in the pulp fiber web, and then a drying process to complete the production of the composite nonwoven fabric WP. By performing the dehydration process and the drying process by the suction device 6 and the dryer 7 in this way in the latter stages of the production of the composite nonwoven fabric WP, the composite nonwoven fabric can be produced efficiently, and the composite nonwoven fabric can be dried without applying a large external pressure to the hydroentangled composite nonwoven fabric produced. However, as previously pointed out, it is necessary to make a composite nonwoven fabric that can reliably prevent fine pulp fibers (paper powder) from falling off from the pulp fiber web on the composite nonwoven fabric WP. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with an additive device 9 for adding an agent for preventing the pulp fibers from falling off.

[0033] The suction device 6 is, for example, a vacuum type, and dehydrates the hydroentangled composite nonwoven fabric from below. An addition device 9 for adding a wet strength agent is disposed above the suction device 6, with the composite nonwoven fabric WP being conveyed therebetween. The above-mentioned adding device 9 adds a mixed additive of a wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer to the upper side of the composite nonwoven fabric WP after it has been compounded in the hydroentanglement device 5, i.e., to the pulp fiber web PWF. Since the mixed additive is added from the outside to the surface of the pulp fiber web of the composite nonwoven fabric after compounding, the mixed additive acts efficiently to connect the pulp fibers together. A drying process is performed downstream of the adding device 9, so there is no waste such as the added mixed additive being washed away and flowing out. In addition, since there is a suction device on the lower side, the mixed additives are more likely to penetrate into the pulp fiber web, which makes it possible to more reliably prevent the pulp fibers from falling off. By applying the additives by spraying, the mixed additives in the form of a spray liquid are more likely to penetrate into the pulp fiber web. In addition, the additive device 9 makes it easy to check the state of the composite nonwoven fabric WP being produced and control the amount of the mixed additives. It is preferable that the moisture content of the pulp fiber web PWF ​​when the mixed additive is sprayed in the adding device 9 (the inlet moisture content % immediately before entering the adding device 9) is adjusted to 120 to 400%.

[0034] In addition, it is preferable to perform dehydration treatment within 10 seconds after spray application of the mixed additive. That is, dehydration may be performed immediately after spray application of the mixed additive as explained with reference to Fig. 1 above, or dehydration may be performed at a position slightly away from the spray application (a position within 10 seconds of conveying time). In short, the state of penetration and diffusion of the chemical solution into the pulp fiber web PWF ​​when the mixed additive is spray applied can be confirmed, and the optimal time (however, within 10 seconds after spray application) can be appropriately determined. The additive mixture can be added using known devices such as spray coating, size press, roll coating, gravure coating, rod bar coating, air knife coating, etc., as the adding device 9. Although not particularly limited, spray coating is preferred. The above-mentioned adding device 9 has been described as a preferred example in which a mixed additive obtained by mixing a wet paper strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer in advance is applied to the pulp fiber web PWF, but the form of application is not limited to this. The wet paper strength agent and the anionic water-soluble polymer may be applied separately to the pulp fiber web PWF. In this case, the adding device 9 is configured as an apparatus equipped with both a first applicator for applying the wet paper strength agent and a second applicator for applying the anionic water-soluble polymer. Here, the first applicator and the second applicator may simultaneously apply the respective chemicals (wet paper strength agent and anionic water-soluble polymer), or the first applicator and the second applicator may be applied at positions slightly shifted forward and backward in the web transport direction. In this case, it is also preferable to adopt spray application.

[0035] The wet strength agent and the anionic water-soluble polymer are preferably added to the pulp fiber web PWF ​​so that the amount of each of them, calculated as a solid content, is within a predetermined range relative to the bone dry weight of the pulp fiber of the pulp fiber web PWF. Specifically, the amount of the wet strength agent is 0.35 to 2.00% by weight, preferably 0.50 to 1.50% by weight, relative to the bone dry weight of the pulp fiber of the pulp fiber web. The amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer is 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, preferably 0.35 to 0.80% by weight, relative to the bone dry weight of the pulp fiber of the pulp fiber web. The weight ratio of the anionic water-soluble polymer to the wet strength agent, ie, (anionic water-soluble polymer / wet strength agent) is preferably 10 to 100% by weight. If the amount of the wet strength agent and anionic water-soluble polymer added is too small, the effect of preventing fiber shedding will decrease, and conversely, if too much is added, the effect relative to the addition rate will remain constant, but there is a concern that excess chemicals will accumulate in the equipment and cause worsening dirt. In addition, when spray-applied, the mixed additive is spray-applied to the pulp fiber web PWF ​​preferably at a concentration of 0.1 to 2.5%, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5%, and preferably at a discharge pressure of 0.1 to 1.5 MPa, more preferably 0.3 to 0.8 MPa. If the pressure is low, the mixed additive is scattered by the wind generated by the transported pulp fiber web, which reduces the yield and makes it difficult to effectively suppress the paper powder falling off. On the other hand, if the pressure is too high, the mixed additive is bounced off the surface of the transported pulp fiber web, which also reduces the yield and makes it less effective at suppressing the paper powder falling off. As described above, it is preferable to use polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), which is known as a wet strength agent in the papermaking process, as the wet strength agent. The solid content concentration of polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) in this wet strength agent is 10 to 40 wt%, more preferably 20 to 30 wt%. Other wet strength agents that can be used include melamine resins and the like. As described above, it is preferable to use carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the anionic water-soluble polymer. By using the above two types in a specific ratio, fiber shedding can be effectively prevented and a composite nonwoven fabric with sufficient water absorbency can be obtained.

[0036] A drying device 7 is further installed downstream of the suction device 6 and the adding device 9, and the composite nonwoven fabric WP having the pulp fiber web PWF ​​spray-coated with the mixed additive is dried. The drying device 7 here is preferably a non-compression type dryer, preferably an air-through dryer. In Fig. 1, the rotatable dryer body 71 of the air-through dryer is a cylindrical body, and a number of through holes are provided on its peripheral surface, and it is preferable that hot air heated by a heat source (not shown) is sucked from the outer periphery of the dryer body toward the center. The composite nonwoven fabric WP thus continuously produced is wound around the roll 81 of the winding device 8 after drying. As described above, the production apparatus 1 can provide a composite nonwoven fabric according to the present invention that has little pulp fiber shedding and maintains sufficient water absorbency.

[0037] (Example) Hereinafter, examples and comparative examples will be described in which the nonwoven fabric according to the present invention is a composite nonwoven fabric containing a spunbonded nonwoven fabric. The wet strength agent added to the pulp fiber web of the composite nonwoven fabric was polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) and the anionic water-soluble polymer was carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and the amounts and mixing ratios of the respective additives were as shown in Table 1 for the composite nonwoven fabrics of Examples 1 to 9, and for Comparative Examples 1 to 7, which were as shown in Table 2, a comprehensive evaluation was performed by checking the amount of paper powder, liquid absorption performance (amount and speed of water absorption), and the degree of soiling during operation.

[0038] 1) Amount of paper powder falling off during drying (visual observation) The nonwoven fabric was shaken ten times on black paper in a dry state, and the amount of paper powder that fell off was visually evaluated. The amount of residual paper powder is small and good (Excellent ◎) The amount of residual paper powder is less than excellent, but still usable (OK). The amount of residual paper powder is noticeable and it is not suitable for use (Not acceptable) 2) Amount of paper dust after wiping (visual inspection) The generation of paper dust under dry and wet conditions was evaluated by 10 monitors. The amount of residual paper powder is small and good (Excellent ◎) The amount of residual paper dust is less than excellent, to the point where some users may judge it to be unusable (OK). The amount of residual paper powder is noticeable and it is not suitable for use (Not acceptable)

[0039] 3) The liquid absorption performance was evaluated by preparing test pieces from the nonwoven fabric and measuring the water absorption rate and water absorption speed. The water absorption rate was measured in accordance with the water absorption rate test specified in JIS L 1907, and the time (seconds) from when a 0.1 ml water droplet reached the surface of the test piece until the mirror reflection of the test piece disappeared was measured. The water absorption (TWA) was determined as follows. First, the nonwoven fabric was cut into a 75 x 75 mm square to prepare a sample piece, and the dry weight was measured. Next, this sample piece was immersed in distilled water for 2 minutes, and then hung in a container saturated with water vapor so that one corner of the sample piece became the upper apex, and this apex and the two adjacent corners were supported and hung in a stretched state (100% RH), left for 30 minutes, and the weight after draining was measured. Paper towels cut to 3 x 38 mm were used for draining. The measured value was then measured for 1 m of the sample piece. 2 Water retention per unit (g / m 2 ) was calculated.

[0040] 4) Condition during operation (visual inspection) When each of the Examples and Comparative Examples was sampled, the condition of the spray nozzle and the degree of dirt on the equipment were visually evaluated. No nozzle clogging occurred, and machine dirt was within the range of normal operation (Excellent ◎). No nozzle clogging occurs, but the machine is less dirty than normal (OK) Nozzles are clogged and manufacturing equipment is extremely dirty, making it difficult to continue operation (Not acceptable)

[0041] 5) Overall rating All evaluation items were scored based on the following criteria. A total score of 4 or above was considered to be the pass mark, indicating good quality and sufficient for continuous operation. The operating conditions are poor and it is difficult to supply wipers (1 point) There are some items with an "X" mark for paper dust improvement, but the operation status is above "〇" (2 points) The improvement of paper dust is rated as 〇 or better, and the operating status is rated as 〇 or better, but the water absorption performance is poor (3 points) Paper dust evaluation is 0 or above, operational status is 0, and water absorption performance is excellent (4 points) Paper dust evaluation is 〇 or above, operational status is ◎, and water absorption performance is excellent (5 points) All paper dust evaluations were rated as ◎, operational status was 〇, and water absorption performance was excellent (6 points) Paper dust evaluation and operating status were all rated as excellent, and water absorption performance was also excellent (7 points)

[0042] [Table 1]

[0043] [Table 2]

[0044] As shown in Table 1 above, in the nonwoven fabrics of Examples 1 to 9, the amount of wet strength agent added was 0.35 to 2.00% by weight, and the amount of anionic water-soluble polymer added was 0.1 to 1.0% by weight. The amount of paper powder after wiping in both the dry and wet states was small, and the fabrics also had sufficient liquid absorption performance, so that the overall evaluation was 4 points or more and the fabrics could be provided as nonwoven fabric products. Here, in Examples 2 and 3, the amount of the wet strength agent added was 0.50 to 1.50% by weight, and the amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer added was 0.35 to 0.80% by weight. All items were rated as ⊚, with an overall rating of 7 points, indicating that the most excellent nonwoven fabric products could be provided. In addition, in Example 6, PAM was used as the anionic water-soluble polymer, and the overall evaluation result was 4.0. In addition, in Example 9, since the degree of etherification of CMC is outside the range of 0.75 or less, the overall evaluation is slightly inferior to that of Example 3, but it can still be used satisfactorily as a nonwoven fabric product.

[0045] On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 to 6, the amount of paper powder was large or noticeable, or either the liquid absorption performance or the soiling condition during operation was poor, so the overall evaluation was 3 points or less, making it difficult to supply them as wiper products. In Comparative Example 1, a wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer (CMC) were not added, and the amount of paper powder was large. In Comparative Example 2, the wet strength agent was added in excess, which caused the device to become dirty. In Comparative Example 3, the amount of anionic water-soluble polymer (CMC) added was small, and the amount of paper powder in a wet state was noticeable. In Comparative Example 4, the amount of wet strength agent added was small, and the amount of paper powder in the dry state was noticeable. In Comparative Example 5, the addition rate of the anionic water-soluble polymer (CMC) was high, and nozzle clogging occurred during addition. In addition, the ratio of the anionic water-soluble polymer (CMC) to the wet strength agent was high, and the fouling worsened significantly, making it impossible to continue operation. In Comparative Example 6, a pulp fiber web was formed by the wet method, but only a wet strength agent was added. The amount of paper powder was small, but the water absorption performance was poor. The wet method requires large manufacturing equipment, which is a disadvantage in that the manufacturing costs increase. In Comparative Example 7, the pulp fiber web was subjected to a wet pressing process and only a wet strength agent was added. Although the amount of paper powder was small, the water absorption performance was extremely poor.

[0046] The above-described examples have demonstrated the effect of suppressing the amount of paper powder and the effect of retaining water absorbency for a composite nonwoven fabric made of a pulp fiber web to which a specified amount of wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer has been added and a spunbond nonwoven fabric, but it goes without saying that the same effects can be expected for a nonwoven fabric formed only from a pulp fiber web. This concludes the description of the embodiment, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Composite nonwoven fabric manufacturing equipment 2 Air Raid Equipment 3 Spunbond nonwoven fabric supply device 4 Suction device 5 Hydro-entangling device 6 Suction device 7 Drying equipment 8 Winding device 9 Addition device 21 Fiberizer 22 Duct 23 Air Raid Hopper 24 Stacking position 28 Clamping roller 30 Pre-wetting device 31 Spray nozzle 32 Suction device 41 Suction device main body 42 Suction section 43 Transport Wire 51 Water Jet Head 52 Suction device 55 Transport Wire SW spunbond nonwoven fabric PF pulp fiber PFW Pulp Fiber Web PWeb Pre-Laminate (Laminate Web) WP composite nonwoven fabric TD Transport direction CD width direction

Claims

1. A nonwoven fabric essentially comprising a pulp fiber web produced by an airlaid method, The pulp fiber web contains a wet strength agent and an anionic water-soluble polymer, The wet strength agent is polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), With respect to the bone dry weight of the pulp fibers of the pulp fiber web, The amount of the wet strength agent added is 0.35 to 2.00% by weight, and The amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer added is 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, The anionic water-soluble polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), The nonwoven fabric is characterized in that the carboxymethyl cellulose has a degree of etherification (D.S.) of 0.75 or less.

2. The amount of the wet strength agent added is 0.50 to 1.50% by weight, and 2. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the anionic water-soluble polymer added is 0.35 to 0.80% by weight.

3. 3. The nonwoven fabric according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a spunbond nonwoven fabric, the pulp fiber web being laminated and integrated onto the spunbond nonwoven fabric to form a composite.

4. A method for producing the nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a hydroentanglement step of hydroentanglement-treating the pulp fiber web; and a drying step of drying the nonwoven fabric in a wet state after the hydroentanglement step.

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