Non-woven fabric and article comprising same

Abstract

Disclosed are a non-woven fabric and an article comprising same. The disclosed non-woven fabric comprises core-sheath type composite fibers, and the sheaths of the core-sheath type composite fibers include an antibacterial material. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-woven fabric which inhibits the proliferation of bacteria and prevents the occurrence of air pollution caused by the proliferation of bacteria.

Description

Nonwoven fabrics and articles containing the same

[0001] Disclosed are a nonwoven fabric and an article comprising the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric and an article comprising the same, which can inhibit bacterial growth and thereby prevent air pollution caused by bacterial growth.

[0002] Air filters, especially cabin air filters for automobiles or cartridge filters for air purifiers, are materials used to filter out particles in the outside air that enters the vehicle during heating and cooling, or to filter out particles in the circulating air inside when an indoor air purifier is in operation. These can be divided into electrostatic filters that only filter out particles and combination filters that have added antibacterial and deodorizing effects.

[0003] These two types of filters are differentiated by the layers they contain or whether they are electrostatically treated, but they are basically composed of a filter support - membrane - separation layer - activated carbon (not present in the case of electrostatic) - filter support. In this case, the membrane is responsible for actually filtering out particles, and the activated carbon layer is responsible for removing toxic gases. However, the filter support is responsible for maintaining the shape of the filter material that performs the above function, maximizing the surface area of ​​the filter to improve filtration efficiency, and maintaining an appropriate porosity to always keep the differential pressure constant, thereby extending the life of the entire filter. Therefore, non-woven fabric is a representative material that exhibits physical properties that suit the above purposes while also being able to offer consumers a competitive price through mass production.

[0004] However, since general non-woven fabrics do not have antibacterial properties, if used as a filter support for an air filter, air contamination may occur due to bacterial growth.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a nonwoven fabric capable of inhibiting bacterial growth and preventing air pollution caused by bacterial growth.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an article comprising the nonwoven fabric.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is:

[0008] A nonwoven fabric comprising a core-type composite fiber, wherein the first part of the core-type composite fiber includes an antibacterial substance is provided.

[0009] The core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber may not contain an antibacterial substance.

[0010] The content of the antibacterial substance in the core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber may be 0.5 to 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the core.

[0011] The above antibacterial substance may include gold (Ag), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), compounds thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0012] The core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber may include a high-melting-point polyester having a melting point of 250°C or higher, and the sheath of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber may include a low-melting-point copolymerized polyester having a melting point that is 20 to 60°C lower than that of the core.

[0013] The above composite fiber may have a fineness of 9 to 14 denier.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is:

[0015] An article including the above nonwoven fabric is provided.

[0016] The above article may be a filter support for an air filter.

[0017] A nonwoven fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent air pollution caused by bacterial growth by inhibiting bacterial growth.

[0018] In addition, the above nonwoven fabric can be used as a filter support of an air filter used for the purpose of removing various types of dust, fine dust, bacteria, etc.

[0019] Hereinafter, a nonwoven fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0020] A nonwoven fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a core-type composite fiber.

[0021] The sheath of the above-described core-sheath composite fiber may contain an antibacterial agent. Furthermore, the core of the above-described core-sheath composite fiber may not contain an antibacterial agent. Thus, by adding an antibacterial agent only to the sheath of the core-sheath composite fiber, bacterial growth in the nonwoven fabric can be suppressed, while spinning is minimally affected. Furthermore, the antibacterial agent spun together with the fiber during spinning can prevent the nonwoven fabric from being exposed to bacterial growth due to moisture, etc.

[0022] The content of the antibacterial substance in the core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber may be 0.5 to 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the core.

[0023] The above antibacterial substance may include gold (Ag), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), compounds thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0024] The core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber may include a high-melting point polyester having a melting point of 250°C or higher.

[0025] The above high melting point polyester may have a melting point of 250°C to 260°C.

[0026] Additionally, the high melting point polyester may include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene 2,6-dinaphthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, or a combination thereof.

[0027] Among the above core-type composite fibers, the sheath may include a low-melting-point copolymerized polyester having a melting point that is 20 to 60°C lower than that of the core.

[0028] The above low-melting-point copolymerized polyester may have a melting point of 195°C to 250°C.

[0029] Additionally, the low-melting-point copolymer polyester may have a melting point lowered by adding isophthalic acid (IPA) to terephthalic acid (TPA) during polymerization.

[0030] The above high-melting point polyester can play a role in maintaining the strength of the fiber due to its high melting point, and the above low-melting point copolymerized polyester can play a role in improving the strength of the fiber due to its low melting point and easy heat bonding.

[0031] The above composite fiber may have a fineness of 9 to 14 denier.

[0032] In the above nonwoven fabric, if the content of the antibacterial substance, the difference in melting point between the melting point of the high-melting-point polyester and the low-melting-point copolymerized polyester, and the fineness of the composite fiber are each within the above range, a nonwoven fabric having excellent antibacterial properties, strength, and spinnability while having a low antibacterial substance shedding rate can be obtained.

[0033] In addition, in the above-mentioned core-sheath type composite fiber, the weight ratio of the core and the sheath (i.e., the weight ratio of the core to the sheath) may be 90:10 to 50:50. When the weight ratio of the core and the sheath is within the above range, fibers and nonwoven fabrics having excellent adhesive strength and fiber strength can be obtained.

[0034] In addition, the core-type composite fiber may contain other components as needed, in addition to the high-melting point polyester and the low-melting point copolymerized polyester, as long as the purpose of the present invention is not impaired. The other components may include known heat-resistant stabilizers, weather-resistant stabilizers, various stabilizers, antistatic agents, anti-blocking agents, antifogging agents, fillers, dyes, pigments, natural oils, synthetic oils, waxes, or combinations thereof.

[0035] The above stabilizers include anti-aging agents such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT); phenolic antioxidants such as tetrakis[methylene-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate]methane, β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid alkyl ester, and 2,2'-oxamidobis[ethyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate; fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, and calcium 1,2-hydroxystearate; Polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters such as glycerin monostearate, glycerin distearate, pentaerythritol monostearate, pentaerythritol distearate, pentaerythritol tristearate; or a combination thereof.

[0036] The filler may include silica, diatomaceous earth, alumina, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, pumice powder, pumice balloon, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, basic magnesium carbonate, dolomite, calcium sulfate, potassium titanate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfite, talc, clay, mica, asbestos, calcium silicate, montmorillonite, bentonite, graphite, aluminum powder, molybdenum sulfide, or a combination thereof.

[0037] Additionally, the thickness of the nonwoven fabric may be 0.10 to 0.45 mm.

[0038] In addition, the nonwoven fabric has a basis weight (i.e., weight per unit area) of 20 to 100 g / m 2 It could be.

[0039] Hereinafter, an article according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0040] An article according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the nonwoven fabric described above.

[0041] The above article may be a filter support for an air filter. For example, the above article may be a filter support for a mask, a filter support for an automobile air filter, a filter support for an air purifier, or a filter support for an air conditioner.

[0042] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through examples. These examples are intended to explain the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0043] Example 1: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0044] Through a conjugate spinneret having a circular cross-section, the weight ratio (core:sheath) of PET (polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 255°C measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) in the core and LM-PET1 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 220°C measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) in the sheath was adjusted to 70:30, and 1.5 parts by weight of an antibacterial material (ZnO) was added to 100 parts by weight of the sheath to form a core-sheath type composite fiber (i.e., a circular cross-section fiber). At this time, the single yarn fineness of the core-sheath type composite fiber was adjusted to 12 denier. The formed circular cross-section fiber passed through an ejector and collided with a collision plate to randomly stack on a conveyor belt to form a first nonwoven fabric layer. At this time, the speed of the conveyor belt was adjusted so that the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric was 20 g / m. 2 This was done to make it happen.

[0045] Example 2: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0046] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the single yarn fineness of the above-mentioned core-shaped composite fiber was adjusted to 9 denier.

[0047] Example 3: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0048] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the single yarn fineness of the above-mentioned core-shaped composite fiber was adjusted to 14 denier.

[0049] Example 4: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0050] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that LM-PET2 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 235°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) was used instead of LM-PET1 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 220°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) as the initial component.

[0051] Example 5: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0052] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that LM-PET3 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 195°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) was used instead of LM-PET1 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 220°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) as the initial component.

[0053] Example 6: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0054] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of antibacterial substance (Ag) added to the initial portion was changed to 0.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the initial portion.

[0055] Example 7: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0056] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of antibacterial substance (Ag) added to the initial portion was changed to 3.0 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the initial portion.

[0057] Example 8: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0058] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of the core PET and the base LM-PET1 (core:base) was changed to 50:50.

[0059] Example 9: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0060] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the weight ratio of the core PET and the base LM-PET1 (core:base) was changed to 90:10.

[0061] Example 10: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0062] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that Ag was added instead of ZnO as an antibacterial agent in the first portion.

[0063] Example 11: Preparation of nonwoven fabric

[0064] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that Cu was added instead of ZnO as an antibacterial agent in the first portion.

[0065] Comparative Example 1: Manufacturing of nonwoven fabric

[0066] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the single yarn fineness of the above-mentioned core-shaped composite fiber was adjusted to 8 denier.

[0067] Comparative Example 2: Manufacturing of nonwoven fabric

[0068] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the single yarn fineness of the above-mentioned core-shaped composite fiber was adjusted to 15 denier.

[0069] Comparative Example 3: Manufacturing of nonwoven fabric

[0070] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that LM-PET4 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 245°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) was used instead of LM-PET1 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate having a melting point of 220°C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) as the initial component.

[0071] Comparative Example 4: Manufacturing of nonwoven fabric

[0072] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that PET (polyethylene terephthalate, melting point 255°C measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) was used instead of LM-PET1 (copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate, melting point 220°C measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), manufactured by Toray Advanced Materials) as the initial component.

[0073] Comparative Example 5: Manufacturing of nonwoven fabric

[0074] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of antibacterial material (ZnO) added to the initial portion was changed to 0.3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the initial portion.

[0075] Comparative Example 6: Manufacturing of nonwoven fabric

[0076] A nonwoven fabric was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of antibacterial material (ZnO) added to the initial portion was changed to 3.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the initial portion.

[0077] The fineness of the core-sheath composite fiber, the difference in melting point between the core and sheath (core - sheath), and the content of antibacterial substances per 100 parts by weight of the sheath in the nonwoven fabrics manufactured in Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 are summarized and shown in Table 1 below.

[0078] Denier of core-sheath composite fiber Melting point difference between core and sheath (core - sheath) (℃) Antibacterial substance content (weight parts) per 100 weight parts of sheath Example 1 12 35 1.5 Example 29 35 1.5 Example 3 14 35 1.5 Example 4 12 20 1.5 Example 5 12 60 1.5 Example 6 12 35 0.5 Example 7 12 35 3.0 Example 8 12 35 1.5 Example 9 12 35 1.5 Example 10 12 35 1.5 Example 11 12 35 1.5 Comparative Example 18 35 1.5 Comparative Example 215 35 1.5 Comparative Example 3 12 10 1.5 Comparative Example 4 12 0 1.5 Comparative Example 5 12 35 0.3 Comparative Example 612353.5

[0079]

[0080] Evaluation Example: Evaluation of Physical Properties of Nonwoven Fabrics The antibacterial properties, stiffness, antibacterial substance shedding rate, and radioactivity of each nonwoven fabric manufactured in Examples 1 to 11 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were evaluated using the following methods, and the results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0081] (1) Antibacterial activity: The bacteriostatic reduction rate was measured according to the KS K 0693 method, and the result was recorded as antibacterial activity. If the antibacterial activity is 99.9% or higher, it is considered to have antibacterial activity.

[0082] (2) Stiffness: The nonwoven fabric was sampled at 20 mm × 100 mm in the machine direction (MD), and the bending stiffness was measured using a Handle-O-meter. The result was recorded as stiffness. Nonwoven fabrics with a stiffness of 25 g / 20 mm or less experience an increase in differential pressure when manufactured as a filter support.

[0083] (3) Antibacterial substance dropout rate: The nonwoven fabric was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) to determine the residual amount of antibacterial substance compared to the amount applied. The antibacterial substance dropout rate was assessed by analyzing the residual amount compared to the amount applied. A dropout rate of 25% or higher was considered insufficient for antibacterial efficacy.

[0084] (4) Radioactivity: Radioactivity was assessed by visually inspecting the filament breakage status in the spinneret. Specifically, if no filament breakage occurred during spinning, the result was marked as "good." If filament breakage occurred, the result was marked as "poor." Poor radioactivity results in hard lumps, making it difficult to process into a filter support.

[0085] Antibacterial activity (%) Strength (g / 20mm) Antibacterial substance dropout rate (%) Radioactivity (radiation status) Example 199.93410 Good Example 299.93110 Good Example 399.94010 Good Example 499.93210 Good Example 599.94210 Good Example 699.9337 Good Example 799.93520 Good Example 899.93510 Good Example 999.93310 Good Example 1099.9349 Good Example 1199.93411 Good Comparative Example 199.92010 Poor Comparative Example 299.94710 Poor Comparative Example 399.91910 Good Comparative Example 499.91810 Good Comparison Example 585.4333 Good Comparison Example 699.93435 Bad

[0086]

[0087] Each of the nonwoven fabrics manufactured in Examples 1 to 11 above was found to have high antibacterial properties and high stiffness, a low antibacterial substance dropout rate, and good spinnability. However, each of the nonwoven fabrics manufactured in Comparative Examples 1 to 6 above was found to have low antibacterial properties, low stiffness, a high antibacterial substance dropout rate, and / or poor spinnability.

[0088] While the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent alternative implementations are possible. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nonwoven fabric comprising a core-type composite fiber, wherein the first part of the core-type composite fiber contains an antibacterial substance.

2. In paragraph 1, The core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber is a nonwoven fabric that does not contain an antibacterial substance.

3. In paragraph 1, A nonwoven fabric in which the content of the antibacterial substance in the first part of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber is 0.5 to 3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the first part.

4. In paragraph 1, The above antibacterial material is a nonwoven fabric containing gold (Ag), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), a compound thereof, or a combination thereof.

5. In paragraph 1, A nonwoven fabric in which the core of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber comprises a high-melting-point polyester having a melting point of 250°C or higher, and the sheath of the above-mentioned core-type composite fiber comprises a low-melting-point copolymerized polyester having a melting point that is 20 to 60°C lower than that of the core.

6. In paragraph 1, The above composite fiber is a nonwoven fabric with a fineness of 9 to 14 denier.

7. An article containing a nonwoven fabric according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 6.

8. In paragraph 7, The above product is a filter support for an air filter.