Treatment agent for polyester-based short fiber spunlace, treatment agent diluent for polyester-based short fiber spunlace, first treatment agent for polyester-based short fiber spunlace, second treatment agent for polyester-based short fiber spunlace, and polyester-based short fiber

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of improving the antistatic property and roller card web uniformity of a polyester-based short fiber to which a treatment agent for a polyester-based short fiber spunlace is applied. The treatment agent for the polyester-based short fiber spunlace comprises a first fatty acid derivative which is at least one alkylene oxide adduct selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid, a second fatty acid derivative which is at least one alkylene oxide adduct selected from oleic acid and stearic acid, and an organic phosphate ester salt. The treatment agent for the polyester-based short fiber spunlace contains, in the nonvolatile content of the treatment agent, a first fatty acid derivative and a second fatty acid derivative in a total amount of 10 to 90 mass% (inclusive) and an organic phosphoric acid ester salt in a ratio of 5 to 80 mass% (inclusive).

Description

Treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, diluted solution of treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, first treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, second treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, and polyester staple fiber

[0001] The present invention relates to a treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, a diluted solution of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, a first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, a second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, and polyester staple fibers.

[0002] For example, fiber treatment agents may be applied to the surfaces of synthetic fibers during spinning, drawing, finishing, etc. Generally, a roller-carded web of synthetic fibers is produced in a carding process using a roller card, and then the fibers constituting the roller-carded web are entangled in a spunlace process to produce a nonwoven fabric.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics for spunlace that contains a fatty acid having 4 to 11 carbon atoms, an organic phosphate ester, a nonionic surfactant, etc. It describes that the use of the treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics results in excellent entanglement and scum suppression, and also reduces foaming during the spunlace process.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a fiber treatment agent for producing spunlace nonwoven fabrics that contains an ester compound of a dibasic acid and a diol and an alkyl phosphate ester. It also describes that use of the fiber treatment agent for producing spunlace nonwoven fabrics can impart excellent smoothness and softness to fibers and suppress foaming during the spunlace process.

[0005] Patent No. 6605833 Patent No. 4139130

[0006] Meanwhile, polyester staple fibers to which a fiber-treating agent has been applied are required to have improved antistatic properties and improved uniformity of the roller card web obtained in the carding process.

[0007] As a result of research aimed at solving the above problems, the present inventors have found that a polyester staple fiber treatment agent containing a specific fatty acid derivative and an organic phosphate ester salt is exactly suitable.

[0008] The following describes various aspects of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace that solves the above-mentioned problems. Aspect 1 of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace includes a fatty acid derivative (A) that is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid, a fatty acid derivative (B) that is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from oleic acid and stearic acid, and an organic phosphate ester salt (C), and the non-volatile components of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) in a total amount of 10% by mass to 90% by mass, and the organic phosphate ester salt in a total amount of 5% by mass to 80% by mass.

[0009] In a second aspect, in the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to the first aspect, the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) each have an oxyalkylene group mass ratio of 50 mass% or less in their molecular structures.

[0010] In aspect 3, in the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to aspect 1 or 2, when the mass of the fatty acid derivative (A) in the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace is Am and the mass of the fatty acid derivative (B) in the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace is Bm, the value of the mass ratio Am / Bm is 0.01 or more and 0.4 or less.

[0011] In Aspect 4, in the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, the organic phosphate ester salt (C) is a salt of a phosphate ester having an alkyl group having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms.

[0012] Aspect 5 is the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contains the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) in a total amount of 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and the organic phosphate ester salt (C) in a proportion of 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, based on the non-volatile components.

[0013] In Aspect 6, the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5 further contains a diester (D) of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 800 and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0014] Aspect 7 is the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to Aspect 6, wherein the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contains the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) in a total amount of 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, the organic phosphate ester salt (C) in a total amount of 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, and the diester (D) in a total amount of 2% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, based on the non-volatile components of the treating agent.

[0015] A diluted solution of a treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to Aspect 8 comprises the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, and water.

[0016] A first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to Aspect 9 is used in combination with a second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace containing an organic phosphate ester salt (C), and contains a fatty acid derivative (A) which is at least one alkylene oxide adduct selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid, a fatty acid derivative (B) which is at least one alkylene oxide adduct selected from oleic acid and stearic acid, and, optionally, a diester (D) of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 800 and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon atoms. The first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace is used in combination with the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace so that the non-volatile components of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace obtained by mixing the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace with the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain a total of 10 to 90% by mass of the fatty acid derivatives (A) and (B) and a total of 5 to 80% by mass of the organic phosphate ester salt (C).

[0017] A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, which is used in combination with a first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, the first treating agent containing a fatty acid derivative (A) which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid, a fatty acid derivative (B) which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from oleic acid and stearic acid, and optionally a diester (D) of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 800 and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and an organic phosphate ester salt (C). The second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace is used in combination with the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace so that the non-volatile components of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace obtained by mixing the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace with the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain the fatty acid derivatives (A) and (B) in a total amount of 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and the organic phosphate ester salt (C) in a total amount of 5% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

[0018] The polyester staple fiber of Aspect 11 is characterized in that the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7 is adhered to the polyester staple fiber.

[0019] According to the present invention, the polyester staple fibers to which the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace has been applied can have improved antistatic properties and roller card web uniformity.

[0020] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter simply referred to as the treating agent) of the present invention will be described below. The treating agent of this embodiment contains the following fatty acid derivative (A), the following fatty acid derivative (B), and an organic phosphate ester salt (C).

[0021] (Fatty Acid Derivative (A)) The fatty acid derivative (A) is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one acid selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid.

[0022] The alkylene oxide preferably has 2 or more and 4 or less carbon atoms, and more preferably has 2 or 3 carbon atoms. Specific examples of alkylene oxides having 2 or more and 4 or less carbon atoms include ethylene oxide (hereinafter also referred to as EO), propylene oxide (hereinafter also referred to as PO), and butylene oxide.

[0023] The number of moles of alkylene oxide added is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 20 moles, more preferably 0.5 to 18 moles, and even more preferably 0.5 to 15 moles.

[0024] The number of moles of alkylene oxide added may be any range combining the above upper and lower limits. The number of moles of alkylene oxide added indicates the number of moles of alkylene oxide per mole of the compound to be added in the charged raw material. As the alkylene oxide, one type of alkylene oxide may be used alone, or two or more types of alkylene oxides may be used in appropriate combination. When two or more types of alkylene oxides are used, the addition form thereof may be any of block addition, random addition, and a combination of block addition and random addition, and is not particularly limited.

[0025] The fatty acid derivative (A) may be a dicarboxylic acid in which linoleic acid or linolenic acid is bonded to both ends of an alkylene oxide, or a monocarboxylic acid in which linoleic acid or linolenic acid is bonded to one end of an alkylene oxide. The fatty acid derivative (A) is preferably a monocarboxylic acid.

[0026] The mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structure of the fatty acid derivative (A) is preferably 50 mass% or less. When the mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structure of the fatty acid derivative (A) is 50 mass% or less, foaming of the water stream when sprayed with high-pressure water in the spunlace process is easily suppressed. In other words, foam suppression can be improved.

[0027] (Fatty Acid Derivative (B)) The fatty acid derivative (B) is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from oleic acid and stearic acid.

[0028] The alkylene oxide can be the same as the alkylene oxide in the fatty acid derivative (A). The fatty acid derivative (B) may be a dicarboxylic acid in which oleic acid or stearic acid is bonded to both ends of an alkylene oxide, or a monocarboxylic acid in which oleic acid or stearic acid is bonded to one end of an alkylene oxide. The fatty acid derivative (B) is preferably a monocarboxylic acid. However, the fatty acid derivative (B) does not include the diester (D) described below.

[0029] The mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structure of the fatty acid derivative (B) is preferably 50 mass% or less, which can improve the foam suppression properties when a high-pressure water stream is sprayed in the spunlace process.

[0030] It is more preferable that the mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structures of the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) is 50 mass% or less, respectively. When the mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structures of the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) is 50 mass% or less, respectively, the foam suppressing property can be further improved.

[0031] The mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structure of either the fatty acid derivative (A) or the fatty acid derivative (B) may be 50 mass% or less. (Organic Phosphate Salt (C)) Examples of the organic phosphate salt (C) include salts of alkyl phosphate esters, alkenyl phosphate esters, etc. The alkyl group or alkenyl group constituting the alkyl phosphate ester is not particularly limited and may be, for example, linear or branched.

[0032] Alcohols that can be used as raw materials for the organic phosphate salt (C) include monohydric aliphatic alcohols. Specific examples of monohydric aliphatic alcohols include (1) linear alkyl alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, octanol, nonanol, decanol, undecanol, dodecanol, tridecanol, tetradecanol, pentadecanol, hexadecanol, heptadecanol, octadecanol, nonadecanol, eicosanol, heneicosanol, docosanol, tricosanol, tetracosanol, pentacosanol, hexacosanol, heptacosanol, octacosanol, nonacosanol, and triacontanol; and (2) isopropanol, isobutanol, isohexanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isononanol, isodecanol, isododecanol, isotridecanol, and isotetradecanol. (3) branched alkyl alcohols such as tetradecenol, isopentadecanol, isohexadecanol, isoheptadecanol, isooctadecanol, isononadecanol, isoeicosanol, isoheneicosanol, isodocosanol, isotricosanol, isotetracosanol, 2-decyltetradecanol, isopentacosanol, isohexacosanol, isoheptacosanol, isooctacosanol, isononacosanol, and isotriacontanol; (4) linear alkenyl alcohols such as tetradecenol, hexadecenol, heptadecenol, octadecenol, oleyl alcohol, and nonadecenol; (4) branched alkenyl alcohols such as isohexadecenol and isooctadecenol; and (5) cyclic alkyl alcohols such as cyclopentanol and cyclohexanol.

[0033] The phosphoric acid constituting the organic phosphate ester salt (C) is not particularly limited and may be orthophosphoric acid or a polyphosphoric acid such as diphosphoric acid. Examples of the salt of the organic phosphate ester salt (C) include an amine salt of a phosphoric acid ester and a metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester.

[0034] The amine constituting the amine salt may be any of a primary amine, a secondary amine, and a tertiary amine. Specific examples of amines constituting the amine salt include: (1) aliphatic amines such as methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, N-N-diisopropylethylamine, butylamine, dibutylamine, 2-methylbutylamine, tributylamine, octylamine, and dimethyllaurylamine; (2) aromatic amines or heterocyclic amines such as aniline, N-methylbenzylamine, pyridine, morpholine, piperazine, and derivatives thereof; (3) alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, dibutylethanolamine, butyldiethanolamine, octyldiethanolamine, and lauryldiethanolamine; (4) arylamines such as N-methylbenzylamine; (5) polyoxyalkylene alkylamino ethers such as polyoxyethylene laurylamino ether and polyoxyethylene sterylamino ether; and (6) ammonia.

[0035] Examples of metal salts include alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts. Specific examples of alkali metals constituting alkali metal salts include sodium, potassium, and lithium. Examples of alkaline earth metals constituting alkaline earth metal salts include metals belonging to Group 2 elements, such as calcium, magnesium, beryllium, strontium, and barium.

[0036] Specific examples of the organic phosphate salt (C) include undecyl phosphate potassium salt, dodecyl phosphate potassium salt, tridecyl phosphate potassium salt, dodecyl phosphate sodium salt, octadecyl phosphate potassium salt, and octyl phosphate potassium salt.

[0037] The organic phosphate salt (C) is preferably a salt of a phosphate ester of an aliphatic alcohol having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms. In other words, the organic phosphate salt (C) is preferably a salt of a phosphate ester having an alkyl group having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms. When the organic phosphate salt (C) is a salt of a phosphate ester having an alkyl group having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms, the antistatic properties of the polyester staple fiber can be further improved.

[0038] As for these organic phosphate ester salts (C), one type of organic phosphate ester salt (C) may be used alone, or two or more types of organic phosphate ester salts (C) may be used in appropriate combination.

[0039] The acid value of the organic phosphate salt (C) is appropriately set, but is preferably 5 to 100 KOH-mg / g, and more preferably 10 to 80 KOH-mg / g. The acid value of the organic phosphate salt (C) is calculated from the following formula by dissolving the organic phosphate salt (C) in a mixed solvent of ethanol / xylene = 1 / 2 (volume ratio), setting the solution in a potentiometric titrator, and titrating it with a 0.1 mol / L potassium hydroxide methanol standard solution.

[0040] Acid value (KOH-mg / g) = (R x f x 56.11 x 0.1) / S In the formula, f is the factor of the 0.1 mol / L potassium hydroxide methanol standard solution, S is the amount of sample taken (g, converted into solid content), and R is the amount (mL) of the 0.1 mol / L potassium hydroxide methanol standard solution used up to the inflection point.

[0041] (Content) When the mass of the fatty acid derivative (A) in the treatment agent is Am and the mass of the fatty acid derivative (B) is Bm, the mass ratio Am / Bm is preferably 0.01 or more and 0.4 or less.

[0042] When the value of the mass ratio Am / Bm is within the above range, the uniformity of the roller carded web of polyester staple fibers (hereinafter also referred to as roller carded web uniformity) can be further improved.

[0043] The roller card web uniformity means the property of obtaining a web with good appearance without any disturbance in the web texture when a web is produced by a roller carding process using polyester staple fibers to which a treatment agent has been applied.

[0044] In the non-volatile components of the treatment agent, the total content of the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) is 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, preferably 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and the content of the organic phosphate ester salt (C) is 5% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, preferably 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[0045] In one aspect of this embodiment, the total content of the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent is, for example, 14.6 mass% or more, 18.6 mass% or more, 25 mass% or more, 30 mass% or more, 31 mass% or more, 35 mass% or more, 40 mass% or more, 44 mass% or more, 46 mass% or more, 48 mass% or more, 58 mass% or more, 62 mass% or more, 69.9 mass% or more, 70 mass% or more, 72 mass% or more, or 90 mass% or more. Similarly, the total content of the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent is, for example, 90% by mass or less, 72% by mass or less, 70% by mass or less, 69.9% by mass or less, 62% by mass or less, 58% by mass or less, 48% by mass or less, 46% by mass or less, 44% by mass or less, 40% by mass or less, 35% by mass or less, 31% by mass or less, 30% by mass or less, 25% by mass or less, 18.6% by mass or less, or 14.6% by mass or less.

[0046] In one aspect of this embodiment, the total content of the organic phosphate ester salt (C) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent is, for example, 5 mass% or more, 10 mass% or more, 13 mass% or more, 15 mass% or more, 20 mass% or more, 24.1 mass% or more, 32 mass% or more, 40 mass% or more, 47 mass% or more, 50 mass% or more, 55 mass% or more, 60 mass% or more, 60.1 mass% or more, 65 mass% or more, 70 mass% or more, or 78 mass% or more. Similarly, the total content of the organic phosphate ester salt (C) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent is, for example, 78% by mass or less, 70% by mass or less, 65% by mass or less, 60.1% by mass or less, 60% by mass or less, 55% by mass or less, 50% by mass or less, 47% by mass or less, 40% by mass or less, 32% by mass or less, 24.1% by mass or less, 20% by mass or less, 15% by mass or less, 13% by mass or less, 10% by mass or less, or 5% by mass or less.

[0047] When the contents of the fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), and the organic phosphate ester salt (C) are within the above numerical ranges, all of antistatic properties, antifoaming properties, and hydrophilicity can be improved. In the non-volatile content of the treatment agent, the total of the fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), and the organic phosphate ester salt (C) does not necessarily have to be 100% by mass. For example, as described below, the treatment agent may contain a diester (D) or other component (E).

[0048] In this specification, the non-volatile content of the treating agent means the residue remaining after the treating agent is heat-treated for 2 hours at 105° C. The treating agent may further contain the following diester (D).

[0049] (Diester (D)) The diester (D) is a diester of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 or more and 800 or less and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 or more and 20 or less carbon atoms.

[0050] The treatment agent containing the diester (D) can further improve the hydrophilicity of the polyester staple fibers and the uniformity of the roller card web. Note that the molecular weight refers to the weight average molecular weight.

[0051] Examples of monovalent fatty acids having 12 to 20 carbon atoms include dodecanoic acid (lauric acid), tridecanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid (myristic acid), pentadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid), heptadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid (stearic acid), nonadecanoic acid, and icosanoic acid.

[0052] Specific examples of the diester (D) include a diester of polyethylene glycol having a mass-average molecular weight of 200 and oleic acid (hereinafter also referred to as polyoxyethylene (mass-average molecular weight 200) dioleate), a diester of polyethylene glycol having a mass-average molecular weight of 800 and oleic acid (hereinafter also referred to as polyoxyethylene (mass-average molecular weight 800) dioleate), a diester of polyethylene glycol having a mass-average molecular weight of 400 and lauric acid (hereinafter also referred to as polyoxyethylene (mass-average molecular weight 400) dilaurate), and a diester of polyethylene glycol having a mass-average molecular weight of 600 and lauric acid (hereinafter also referred to as polyoxyethylene (mass-average molecular weight 600) dilaurate).

[0053] These diesters (D) may be used singly or in combination of two or more diesters (D). The method for measuring the weight average molecular weight of the diester (D) is not limited, and known methods can be used. For example, it can be measured by gel permeation chromatography.

[0054] (Content) The non-volatile content of the treatment agent preferably contains the fatty acid derivative (A) and the fatty acid derivative (B) in a total amount of 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, the organic phosphate ester salt (C) in an amount of 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, and the diester (D) in an amount of 2% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[0055] In one aspect of this embodiment, the content of the diester (D) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent is, for example, 1% by mass or more, 1.9% by mass or more, 2.4% by mass or more, 4% by mass or more, 5% by mass or more, 10% by mass or more, or 17% by mass or more. Similarly, the content of the diester (D) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent is, for example, 17% by mass or less, 10% by mass or less, 5% by mass or less, 4% by mass or less, 2.4% by mass or less, 1.9% by mass or less, or 1% by mass or less.

[0056] In the nonvolatile components of the treatment agent, the total of the fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), the organic phosphate ester salt (C), and the diester (D) does not necessarily have to be 100% by mass. For example, as described below, the treatment agent may contain another component (E).

[0057] When the contents of the fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), the organic phosphate ester salt (C), and the diester (D) are within the above-mentioned ranges, the roller card web uniformity of the polyester staple fibers and the emulsion stability of the treatment agent can be further improved.

[0058] (Other Component (E)) The treatment agent of this embodiment may contain other component (E). Examples of other component (E) include components that are commonly used in treatment agents, such as stabilizers, antistatic agents, binders, antioxidants, UV absorbers, surfactants, pH adjusters, and higher alcohols. Examples of surfactants include nonionic surfactants. Note that higher alcohols refer to monohydric alcohols having 6 or more carbon atoms.

[0059] Specific examples of the other component (E) include a compound in which 9 moles of EO and 9 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of castor oil, a compound in which 7 moles of EO and 3 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of castor oil, a compound in which 5 moles of EO and 5 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of hydrogenated castor oil, a compound in which 9 moles of EO and 9 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of hydrogenated castor oil, sodium salt of secondary alkanesulfonic acid having 11 to 14 carbon atoms, lauryl alcohol, oleic acid, potassium octanoate, sebacillus acid, sorbitan stearate, sorbitol ... Examples of suitable ester compounds include an ester compound obtained by dehydration condensation of 0.1 mol of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol (random polymer: mass average molecular weight 13,000, EO component ratio 75% by mass), 0.5 mol of polyethylene glycol (mass average molecular weight 600), and 0.4 mol of polyethylene glycol (mass average molecular weight 400) per 1 mol of phosphate; propylene glycol; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether phosphate potassium salt; and polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 400) monolaurate.

[0060] The other component (E) may be a single component or a combination of two or more components (E). In other words, the other component (E) may contain at least one of the above.

[0061] The content of the other component (E) is not particularly limited and can be contained within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. The content of the other component (E) in the non-volatile content of the treatment agent can be, for example, 60% by mass or less, 50% by mass or less, 40% by mass or less, 30% by mass or less, 20% by mass or less, 10% by mass or less, or 0% by mass. It can also be 5% by mass or more, or 10% by mass or more. The content of the other component (E) can also be within a range that combines any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0062] (Storage Form) The treatment agent may be configured as a one-component type containing the above-mentioned fatty acid derivative (A), fatty acid derivative (B), and organic phosphate ester salt (C), or, from the viewpoint of improving formulation stability and storage stability, may be configured as a two-component type treatment agent as shown below.

[0063] The two-component treatment agent is configured as a set including a first treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter also referred to as the first treatment agent) containing a fatty acid derivative (A), a fatty acid derivative (B), and optionally a diester (D), and a second treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter also referred to as the second treatment agent) containing an organic phosphate ester salt (C).Another component (E) may be contained in either or both of the first treatment agent and the second treatment agent.

[0064] A two-component treatment agent is composed of a first treatment agent and a second treatment agent that is prepared as a separate agent from the first treatment agent before use, for example, during storage or distribution, etc. The two-component treatment agent is prepared as a mixture of the first treatment agent and the second treatment agent when used.

[0065] (Solvent) The treatment agent of the first embodiment may be mixed with a solvent as needed to prepare a composition containing a treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace or a diluted solution of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, and may be stored or distributed in these forms.

[0066] The solvent is, for example, a solvent having a boiling point of 105°C or less at one atmospheric pressure. Examples of the solvent include water and organic solvents. Specific examples of water include ion-exchanged water, distilled water, hard water, and soft water. Specific examples of organic solvents include lower alcohols such as ethanol and propanol, and low-polarity solvents such as hexane. One type of these solvents may be used alone, or two or more types of solvents may be used in appropriate combination. Among these, polar solvents such as water and lower alcohols are preferred from the viewpoint of excellent dispersibility or solubility of each component, and water is more preferred from the viewpoint of excellent handleability.

[0067] <Functions and Effects of First Embodiment> (1-1) The treatment agent of the first embodiment contains the fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), and the organic phosphate ester salt (C) described above. Therefore, the antistatic properties of the polyester staple fibers to which the treatment agent is applied and the uniformity of the roller carded web can be improved.

[0068] (1-2) Furthermore, by containing the above-mentioned diester (D), the hydrophilicity of the polyester staple fibers to which the treatment agent has been applied and the uniformity of the roller card web can be further improved.

[0069] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the diluted solution of a treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter also simply referred to as the diluted solution) of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0070] The dilution liquid of this embodiment contains the treatment agent and water. The dilution liquid is used as an emulsion by mixing the treatment agent with water. Specific examples of water include ion-exchanged water, distilled water, hard water, and soft water. Among these, ion-exchanged water and distilled water are preferably used.

[0071] The method for preparing the diluted solution is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method in which a predetermined amount of the treatment agent is added to a pre-measured amount of water. Furthermore, the diluted solution can also be prepared by a known mechanical emulsification method using a known homomixer, homogenizer, or the like.

[0072] The dilution liquid may contain a known solvent other than water. Examples of solvents other than water include the above-mentioned organic solvents. The concentration of the treatment agent in the dilution liquid is not particularly limited. The concentration of the treatment agent can be, for example, 30% by mass or more, 40% by mass or more, 50% by mass or more, or 60% by mass or more. It can also be 95% by mass or less, 90% by mass or less, 80% by mass or less, or 70% by mass or less. The concentration of the treatment agent can also be within a range that combines any of the above upper and lower limits.

[0073] <Functions and Effects of Second Embodiment> In addition to the functions and effects of the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the following functions and effects.

[0074] (2-1) The dilution liquid of the second embodiment contains the treatment agent described above and water. Therefore, the treatment agent can be applied to the polyester staple fibers in the form of an emulsion. Furthermore, the dilution liquid is easy to handle because it contains water as a solvent.

[0075] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (first treating agent) of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The first treating agent contains a fatty acid derivative (A), a fatty acid derivative (B), and optionally a diester (D).

[0076] The first treating agent is used in combination with a second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter simply referred to as the second treating agent) containing an organic phosphate ester salt (C). That is, when used, the first treating agent and the second treating agent are mixed to prepare a mixture as a treating agent.

[0077] The fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), the organic phosphate ester salt (C), and the diester (D) are the same as the components described in the first embodiment. The first treatment agent may also contain the other component (E) described above.

[0078] (Solvent) The first treating agent of the third embodiment is prepared as a diluted first treating agent solution for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter also referred to as a diluted first treating agent solution) by mixing it with a solvent as needed. The first treating agent may be stored or distributed in the form of a diluted first treating agent solution. This configuration improves mixability and composition stability when diluted with a solvent or mixed with the second treating agent at the time of use. The solvent may be one of those exemplified in the first embodiment.

[0079] <Operations and Effects of Third Embodiment> In addition to the operations and effects of the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment has the following operations and effects.

[0080] (3-1) The first treatment agent of the third embodiment contains a fatty acid derivative (A), a fatty acid derivative (B), and optionally a diester (D), and is used in combination with a second treatment agent containing an organic phosphate ester salt (C). This improves the formulation stability and storage stability of the first treatment agent during storage or distribution. Furthermore, by adjusting the mixing ratio with the second treatment agent, the components of the resulting treatment agent can be adjusted. Furthermore, the first treatment agent alone can be distributed separately from the second treatment agent.

[0081] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the second treating agent (second treating agent) for polyester staple fiber spunlace of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments. The second treating agent contains an organic phosphate ester salt (C). The second treating agent is used in combination with a first treating agent containing a fatty acid derivative (A), a fatty acid derivative (B), and optionally a diester (D). In other words, the first treating agent and the second treating agent are mixed together to prepare a mixture as a treating agent at the time of use.

[0082] The fatty acid derivative (A), the fatty acid derivative (B), the organic phosphate ester salt (C), and the diester (D) are the same as the components described in the first embodiment. The second treatment agent may also contain the other component (E) described above.

[0083] (Solvent) The second treating agent of the fourth embodiment is prepared as a diluted second treating agent solution for polyester staple fiber spunlace (hereinafter also referred to as a diluted second treating agent solution) by mixing it with a solvent as needed. The second treating agent may be stored or distributed in the form of a diluted second treating agent solution. This configuration improves mixability and composition stability when diluted with a solvent or mixed with the first treating agent at the time of use. The solvent may be one of those exemplified in the first embodiment.

[0084] <Functions and Effects of Fourth Embodiment> In addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiments, the fourth embodiment has the following functions and effects.

[0085] (4-1) The second treatment agent of the fourth embodiment contains an organic phosphate ester salt (C) and is used in combination with a first treatment agent containing a fatty acid derivative (A), a fatty acid derivative (B), and optionally a diester (D). This improves the formulation stability and storage stability of the second treatment agent during storage or distribution. Furthermore, by adjusting the mixing ratio with the first treatment agent, the components of the resulting treatment agent can be adjusted. Furthermore, the second treatment agent can be distributed separately from the first treatment agent.

[0086] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the polyester staple fiber of the present invention will be described. The polyester staple fiber of this embodiment is a treated polyester staple fiber having the treating agent of the first embodiment attached to its surface. The attachment of the treating agent to the surface of the polyester staple fiber results in a modified polyester staple fiber.

[0087] (Length of Polyester Staple Fibers) Polyester staple fibers generally include those called staple or short cut, and do not include long fibers generally called filaments. Staple refers to short fibers having a fiber length of about 3 cm to 7 cm. Short cut refers to short fibers having a fiber length of 1 cm or less. In other words, polyester staple fibers refer to short fibers having a fiber length of about 7 cm or less.

[0088] As will be described later, when a spunlace nonwoven fabric is produced using polyester staple fibers, the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric may contain the above-mentioned long fibers. In other words, the treatment agent of the present invention is not limited to polyester staple fibers, but may also be applied to long fibers other than polyester staple fibers mixed into the nonwoven fabric.

[0089] (Types of Polyester Staple Fibers) Specific examples of polyester staple fibers include polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate isophthalate, and polyether polyester.

[0090] (Treatment Agent Application Treatment) There is no particular limit to the amount of the treatment agent of the first embodiment applied to the polyester staple fibers. The treatment agent is a solvent-free treatment agent, and is applied in an amount of preferably 0.1% by mass to 2% by mass, more preferably 0.3% by mass to 1.2% by mass, based on the polyester staple fibers.

[0091] The treatment agent can be applied to the polyester staple fibers by a known method, such as a dipping method, a spraying method, a roller method, or a guide oiling method using a metering pump, using the diluted solution of the second embodiment.

[0092] (Method for Producing Nonwoven Fabric) The polyester staple fiber of the present embodiment may be used to produce a nonwoven fabric by the following method. Specifically, the nonwoven fabric can be obtained by the following steps.

[0093] Step 1: A step of applying the treatment agent of the first embodiment to polyester staple fibers. Step 2: A step of passing the polyester staple fibers to which the treatment agent has been applied in Step 1 through a roller carding machine to obtain a roller carded web. Step 2 is also called a carding step.

[0094] Step 3: A step of obtaining a nonwoven fabric by entangling the fibers with each other using a spunlace method in which a high-pressure water jet is sprayed onto the roller-carded web obtained in Step 2. Step 3 is also called the spunlace step.

[0095] A nonwoven fabric can be produced through the above steps. The nonwoven fabric can be called a spunlace nonwoven fabric because the fibers are entangled by the spunlace method. When a two-component treatment agent is used in step 1, a diluted solution of the treatment agent containing a solvent such as water, the first treatment agent of the third embodiment, and the second treatment agent of the fourth embodiment is prepared and applied to the polyester staple fibers. For example, the diluted solution can be prepared by adding the first treatment agent and the second treatment agent to water.

[0096] When the first and second treatment agents are used in combination, the mixing ratio of each agent can be changed as desired, making it easy to fine-tune the mixing ratio and prepare a treatment agent or dilution solution that always provides optimal fiber properties or fiber production characteristics, even under different production conditions, such as different production facilities or different climates (temperature, humidity, etc.).

[0097] The ratio of the content of the first treatment agent to the second treatment agent is not particularly limited, but the mass ratio of the nonvolatile components of the first treatment agent to the second treatment agent is preferably 95 / 5 to 5 / 95. By specifying the ratio within this range, operability can be improved.

[0098] In order to emulsify the treating agents, each treating agent may be mixed with a solvent and stirred using a known stirrer, for example, a homomixer, a homogenizer, a colloid mill, a line mixer, etc. The diluted solution obtained as described above may be applied to polyester staple fibers in, for example, at least one of the steps of spinning, drawing, and finishing polyester staple fibers, thereby obtaining polyester staple fibers to which the treating agent is attached.

[0099] <Functions and Effects of Fifth Embodiment> In addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiments, the fifth embodiment has the following functions and effects.

[0100] (5-1) The polyester staple fiber has the treatment agent of the first embodiment adhered thereto. Therefore, the antistatic properties and roller card web uniformity of the polyester staple fiber can be improved. The improved antistatic properties of the polyester staple fiber improve the processability of the polyester staple fiber in the carding process. Furthermore, the improved roller card web uniformity of the polyester staple fiber reduces variations in thickness and density in the subsequent spunlace process, making it possible to obtain a nonwoven fabric of higher quality. Therefore, a nonwoven fabric produced using the polyester staple fiber of the present invention can be suitably used in applications such as wet tissues and masks.

[0101] (5-2) Furthermore, in the case of a multi-dose formulation, the first and second treatment agents are added to a solvent immediately before use to prepare the formulation, thereby improving formulation stability and storage stability.

[0102] Examples will be given below to more specifically explain the configuration and effects of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following explanations of the examples and comparative examples, % means % by mass, and parts means parts by mass.

[0103] Test Section 1 (Preparation of a Treating Agent for Polyester Staple Fiber Spunlace) (Example 1-1) 950 g of water was heated to 50°C, and while stirring, 3.5 g of a compound (A-1) in which 3 moles of EO were added to 1 mole of linoleic acid as the fatty acid derivative (A), 16.5 g of a compound (B-1) in which 3 moles of EO were added to 1 mole of oleic acid as the fatty acid derivative (B), 20 g of undecyl phosphate ester potassium salt (C-1) as the organic phosphate ester salt (C), 2 g of polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 200) dioleate (D-1) and 1 g of polyoxyethylene methyl acrylate (mass average molecular weight 200) dioleate (D-1) as the diester (D) were added. A 5% by mass aqueous solution of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace of Example 1 was obtained by adding and mixing 0.5 g of ethylene (mass average molecular weight 800) dioleate (D-2), and, as other components (E), 1.5 g of a compound (E-1) in which 9 moles of EO and 9 moles of PO were randomly added to 1 mole of castor oil, 5 g of a compound (E-2) in which 7 moles of EO and 3 moles of PO were randomly added to 1 mole of castor oil, and 1 g of a compound (E-3) in which 5 moles of EO and 5 moles of PO were randomly added to 1 mole of hydrogenated castor oil.

[0104] Examples 1-2 to 1-22, Comparative Examples 1 to 5 The treating agents of Examples 1-2 to 1-22 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the components shown in Table 1.

[0105] The type and content of the fatty acid derivative (A), the type and content of the fatty acid derivative (B), the type and content of the organic phosphate ester salt (C), the type and content of the diester (D), the type and content of the other component (E), and the mass ratio of the fatty acid derivative (A) to the fatty acid derivative (B) in each example of the treatment agent are as shown in the "Fatty acid derivative (A)" column, the "Fatty acid derivative (B)" column, the "Organic phosphate ester salt (C)" column, the "Diester (D)" column, the "Other component (E)" column, and the "Am / Bm" column in Table 1, respectively.

[0106]

[0107] Details of the fatty acid derivative (A), fatty acid derivative (B), organic phosphate ester salt (C), diester (D), and other component (E) shown in Table 1 are as follows: <Fatty Acid Derivative (A)> As the fatty acid derivative (A), A-1 to A-5 shown in Table 2 below were used.

[0108] The type of fatty acid derivative (A) and the mass proportion of the oxyalkylene group in the molecular structure are shown in the "Type of fatty acid derivative (A)" and "Mass proportion of oxyalkylene group" columns in Table 2, respectively.

[0109]

[0110] <Fatty Acid Derivative (B)> Fatty acid derivatives (B) used were B-1 to B-5 shown in Table 3 below. The type of fatty acid derivative (B) and the mass proportion of the oxyalkylene group in the molecular structure are shown in the "Type of fatty acid derivative (B)" column and the "Mass proportion of oxyalkylene group" column in Table 3, respectively.

[0111]

[0112] <Organic phosphate ester salt (C)> As the organic phosphate ester salt (C), C-1 to C-6 shown in Table 4 below were used. The alkyl group linearity, alkyl group carbon number, acid value, and P-nucleus NMR integral ratio of the organic phosphate ester salt (C) are shown in the "Alkyl group linearity," "Alkyl group carbon number," "Acid value," and "P-nucleus NMR integral ratio" columns in Table 4, respectively. In Table 4, "mono-form," "di-form," and "poly-form" mean "monoester form," "diester form," and "diphosphate ester form," respectively. The P-nucleus NMR integral ratio can be measured by a known method.

[0113]

[0114] <Diesters (D)> D-1: Polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 200) dioleate D-2: Polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 800) dioleate D-3: Polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 400) dilaurate D-4: Polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 600) dilaurate <Other Components (E)> E-1: Compound in which 9 moles of EO and 9 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of castor oil E-2: Compound in which 7 moles of EO and 3 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of castor oil E-3: Compound in which 5 moles of EO and 5 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of hydrogenated castor oil E-4: Compound in which 9 moles of EO and 9 moles of PO are randomly added to 1 mole of hydrogenated castor oil E-5: Sodium salt of secondary alkanesulfonic acid having 11 to 14 carbon atoms E-6: Lauryl alcohol E-7: Oleic acid E-8: Octanoic acid potassium salt E-9: Ester compound obtained by dehydration condensation of 0.1 mol of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol (random polymer: mass average molecular weight 13,000, EO component ratio 75% by mass), 0.5 mol of polyethylene glycol (mass average molecular weight 600), and 0.4 mol of polyethylene glycol (mass average molecular weight 400) per 1 mol of sebacic acid E-10: Propylene glycol E-11: Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether phosphate ester potassium salt E-12: Polyoxyethylene (mass average molecular weight 400) monolaurate Test section 2 (Preparation of polyester staple fiber treated cotton) A 5% by mass aqueous solution of the polyester staple fiber spunlace treating agent prepared in Test section 1 was applied to polyester staple fibers (fineness 1.5 dtex, fiber length 38 mm) by spray oiling so that the amount of adhered non-volatile content of the treating agent was 0.14% by mass. The raw cotton with the treatment applied thereto was then dried in a hot air dryer at 80°C for 2 hours, and then conditioned overnight in an atmosphere of 25°C and 40% RH. The conditioned cotton was used as polyester staple fiber-treated cotton (hereinafter also referred to as treated cotton).

[0115] Test Section 3 (Antistatic Property) Five grams of the treated cotton was conditioned for 24 hours in a thermostatic chamber at 20°C and 45% RH, and then the electrical resistance (Ω) was measured using an electrical resistance measuring instrument (Model SM-5E manufactured by Toa Denpa Kogyo Co., Ltd.) and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Antistatic Property" column of Table 1.

[0116] Antistatic evaluation criteria: 3 (good): Surface resistance is 1.0 x 10 ９ Less than Ω 2 (Acceptable): Surface resistance is 1.0 x 10 ９ Ω or more 1.0×10 １０ Less than Ω 1 (unacceptable): Surface resistance is 1.0 x 10 １０ Ω or more Test Section 4 (Roller-carded Web Uniformity) 20 g of the treated cotton was conditioned for 24 hours in a temperature-controlled room at 20°C and 65% RH, and then subjected to a known roller carding machine. The texture of the discharged roller-carded web was evaluated visually and according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Web Uniformity" column of Table 1.

[0117] Evaluation criteria for roller card web uniformity: 4 (excellent): No disruption of the roller card web formation, very good appearance; 3 (good): Little disruption of the roller card web formation, good appearance.

[0118] 2 (Acceptable): Slight disturbance in the formation of the roller carded web was observed. 1 (Not Acceptable): Disorder in the formation of the roller carded web was observed. Test Category 5 (Foam Inhibition) 15 g of the treated cotton described above was placed in 150 g of water, and after 2 hours, the treated cotton was squeezed using a known hand juicer. 10 g of the squeezed liquid was placed in a 25 mL measuring cylinder with a stopper and shaken vigorously for 30 seconds. After leaving it to stand for 5 minutes, the height from the water surface to the top of the foam was measured and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Foam Inhibition" column of Table 1.

[0119] Evaluation criteria for foam suppression: 3 (good): Foaming less than 3 mm; 2 (fair): Foaming 3 mm or more but less than 10 mm; 1 (bad): Foaming 10 mm or more. Test category 6 (hydrophilicity): 5 g of the above treated cotton was placed in a 3 g metal basket and immersed in 1 L of water. The time until the treated cotton was completely immersed in water was measured and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "hydrophilicity" column of Table 1.

[0120] Evaluation criteria for hydrophilicity 3 (good): Time required for complete immersion in water was less than 5 seconds 2 (fair): Time required for complete immersion in water was 5 to 10 seconds 1 (unacceptable): Time required for complete immersion in water was 10 seconds or more Test category 7 (emulsion stability) 20 g of a 5% by mass aqueous solution of the treatment agent of each example was placed in an 18 mm diameter test tube and allowed to stand in a thermostatic chamber at 20°C. The state of the aqueous solution after 24 hours was visually observed and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "emulsion stability" column of Table 1.

[0121] Evaluation criteria for emulsion stability 3 (good): Uniform with no precipitation or separation 2 (fair): No precipitation observed, but separation occurred.

[0122] 1 (unacceptable): Precipitation occurred and the mixture was inhomogeneous. Test Section 8 (Preparation of diluted first treatment agents for two-component treatment agents) (Diluted first treatment agents (I-1) to (I-22)) Each component was weighed out and stirred and mixed to obtain the content ratios shown in Table 5 to prepare diluted first treatment agents for polyester staple fiber spunlace (diluted first treatment agents (I-1) to (I-22)).

[0123] The type and content of the fatty acid derivative (A), the type and content of the fatty acid derivative (B), the type and content of the diester (D), the type and content of the other component (E), and the content of water in the first treatment agent diluted solutions (I-1) to (I-22) are as shown in the "Fatty acid derivative (A)" column, the "Fatty acid derivative (B)" column, the "Diester (D)" column, the "Other component (E)" column, and the "Solvent" column in Table 5, respectively.

[0124]

[0125] Test Section 9 (Preparation of Diluted Solutions of Second Treatment Agent for Two-Part Treatment Agent) Each component was weighed and stirred and mixed to obtain the content ratios shown in Table 6 to prepare diluted solutions of second treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace (diluted solutions of second treatment agent (II-1) to (II-6)).

[0126] The type and content of the organic phosphate ester salt (C) and the content of water in the diluted second treatment agent solutions (II-1) to (II-6) are as shown in the "Organic phosphate ester salt (C)" and "Solvent" columns of Table 6, respectively.

[0127]

[0128] Test Section 10 (Evaluation of Formulation Stability of Diluted First and Second Treatment Agent Solutions) 10 mL of each of the prepared diluted first and second treatment agent solutions was placed in a test tube, and the stability was evaluated visually according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Formulation Stability" column of Tables 5 and 6.

[0129] Evaluation criteria for formulation stability 2 (Acceptable): No separation or precipitation occurs immediately after preparation 1 (Not Acceptable): Separation or precipitation occurs immediately after preparation Test Section 11 (Preparation of Diluted Treatment Agent Solutions from Diluted First and Second Treatment Agent Solutions) (Example 2-1) The diluted second treatment agent solution (II-1) shown in Table 6 was added to half of the specified amount of water heated to approximately 50°C with stirring to completely dissolve. After dissolution, the diluted first treatment agent solution (I-1) shown in Table 5 was added with stirring to completely dissolve. After dissolution, heating was stopped, and the remaining half of the water at approximately 25°C was added all at once and stirred until uniform, yielding a 5% by mass aqueous solution of the diluted treatment agent solution of Example 2-1.

[0130] (Examples 2-2 to 2-22) In the same manner as in Example 2-1, the diluted first treatment agent solution shown in Table 5 and the diluted second treatment agent solution shown in Table 6 were mixed to prepare the diluted treatment agent solution for each example.

[0131] The type and content of the diluted first treatment agent and the type and content of the diluted second treatment agent are shown in the "Diluted first treatment agent" and "Diluted second treatment agent" columns of Table 7, respectively.

[0132]

[0133] Test Section 12 (Evaluation of Two-Part Treatment Agent Dilutions) The resulting treatment agent diluted solutions of each example, such as Example 2-1, were evaluated for antistatic properties, roller card web uniformity, anti-foaming properties, hydrophilicity, and emulsion stability in the same manner as for the treatment agent of Example 1-1. The results are shown in the "Antistatic Properties," "Web Uniformity," "Anti-Foaming Properties," "Hydrophilicity," and "Emulsion Stability" columns of Table 7, respectively.

[0134] The results in the above table show that the present invention can improve the antistatic properties, roller card web uniformity, foam suppression, and hydrophilicity of fibers to which a treatment agent is applied, as well as the emulsion stability of diluted treatment agents.

Claims

1. A treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, comprising: a first fatty acid derivative which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid; a second fatty acid derivative which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from oleic acid and stearic acid; and an organic phosphate ester salt, wherein the non-volatile components of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain the first fatty acid derivative and the second fatty acid derivative in a total amount of 10% by mass to 90% by mass, and the organic phosphate ester salt in a proportion of 5% by mass to 80% by mass.

2. A treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to claim 1, wherein the mass proportion of oxyalkylene groups in the molecular structures of the first fatty acid derivative and the second fatty acid derivative is 50 mass% or less, respectively.

3. A treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace as described in claim 1, wherein the mass ratio Am / Bm is 0.01 or more and 0.4 or less, when the mass of the first fatty acid derivative in the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace is Am and the mass of the second fatty acid derivative is Bm.

4. The treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to claim 1, wherein the organic phosphate ester salt is a salt of a phosphate ester having an alkyl group having 11 to 13 carbon atoms.

5. A treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace as described in claim 1, wherein the non-volatile components of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain the first fatty acid derivative and the second fatty acid derivative in a total amount of 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and the organic phosphate ester salt in a proportion of 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

6. The treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to claim 1, further comprising a diester of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 800 and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon atoms.

7. A treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace as described in claim 6, wherein the non-volatile components of the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain the first fatty acid derivative and the second fatty acid derivative in a total amount of 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, the organic phosphate ester salt in an amount of 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, and the diester in an amount of 2% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

8. A diluted solution of a treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, comprising the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and water.

9. A first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace to be used in combination with a second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace containing an organic phosphate ester salt, the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace containing: a first fatty acid derivative which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid; a second fatty acid derivative which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from oleic acid and stearic acid; and optionally a diester of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 800 and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace being used in combination with the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace so that the non-volatile components of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace obtained by mixing the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace with the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain a total of 10 to 90% by mass of the first fatty acid derivative and the second fatty acid derivative and a total of 5 to 80% by mass of the organic phosphate ester salt.

10. A second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, used in combination with a first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace, which contains a first fatty acid derivative which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from linoleic acid and linolenic acid, a second fatty acid derivative which is an alkylene oxide adduct of at least one selected from oleic acid and stearic acid, and optionally a diester of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 800 and a monovalent fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace containing an organic phosphate ester salt, and which is used in combination with the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace so that the non-volatile components of the treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace obtained by mixing the second treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace with the first treating agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace contain a total of 10% by mass to 90% by mass of the first fatty acid derivative and the second fatty acid derivative, and 5% by mass to 80% by mass of the organic phosphate ester salt.

11. Polyester staple fibers having the treatment agent for polyester staple fiber spunlace according to any one of claims 1 to 7 adhered thereto.

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