CN105358111A - Non-woven fabric and process for forming the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric suitable for use in sanitary absorbent articles comprising a first nonwoven web comprising a side having a first pattern of individualized bonded areas defining a hexagonal shape. and wherein the surface area of the bonded areas is 10-30% of the total surface area of the sides and the surface area of the unbonded areas is 70-90% of the total surface area of the sides . The present invention also relates to an absorbent article comprising the nonwoven fabric of the present invention, and a method for forming the nonwoven fabric.

Description

Nonwoven fabric and method of forming same

technical field

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric, a sanitary absorbent article comprising the nonwoven fabric, and a method for forming the nonwoven fabric.

Background technique

Nonwoven fabrics are widely used in disposable absorbent articles for personal care or hygiene. In these articles, the appearance of softness is very important as this will reassure the wearer or caregiver that the article is comfortable to experience.

In WO 2012/024576 A1 an absorbent article adapted to be worn on the lower body of the wearer is described, the purpose of which is to enhance the perceived softness of the absorbent article. The absorbent article described in said document comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The liquid impermeable backsheet comprises a laminate of a liquid impermeable wearer facing layer, a water vapor permeable polymeric film, and a garment facing layer of a nonwoven web. The nonwoven web is embossed with a first pattern of diamond-shaped bonded indentations defining a second pattern of unbonded raised areas also having diamond shapes. Reference is made in this regard to Figures 3A-4B. During the manufacture of the nonwoven webs, hydroentanglement or water saturation processes are required to increase loft and/or thickness, enhance visual and tactile softness signals. However, a disadvantage of this hydroentanglement or water saturation process is that it greatly increases the manufacturing cost of the absorbent article. Furthermore, there is still room for improvement in the softness of the absorbent articles.

WO2006/048173 describes a looped nonwoven material for mechanical closure systems. The fabric is thermally bonded with a first pattern of bonded indentations that produces a second pattern of larger unbonded raised areas and a third pattern of smaller unbonded areas. This indentation is a combination of trefoil and linear geometries. This provides a positive effect on the mechanical stability of the fabric, but has the disadvantage that it limits the drape - an important feature for the perception of softness.

Furthermore, a wiper for cleaning hard surfaces such as marble floors is described in JP2005245913. The wipes typically consist of a single layer of nonwoven material. The nonwoven layer consists of a fiber mixture containing more than 40% microfibres (meltblown). The remainder of the fiber blend consists of natural fibers such as cotton, as well as support fibers mainly made of polyester. This structure and high basis weight are attributable to the expected high cleaning efficiency of the fabric rather than the pleasing hand and wearer comfort. Therefore, these wipes are not suitable for hygienic applications requiring a sufficiently high level of softness, particularly for personal hygiene absorbent articles requiring direct contact with the wearer's skin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a nonwoven suitable for hygienic absorbent articles with a simplified pattern of bonded and unbonded regions which can be manufactured more easily and at the same time exhibits improved softness sex.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dimensionally stable nonwoven fabric with improved softness and high tensile strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric having sufficient shear strength to be used as a textile backsheet or landing zone in personal hygiene absorbent articles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide nonwoven fabrics that can be used as hygienic absorbent articles such as wet wipes and dry wipes.

Contents of the invention

It has now been found that the objects of the invention can be achieved when a specific pattern of bonded and unbonded areas is used.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric suitable for use in hygienic absorbent articles comprising a nonwoven web comprising a side having a first pattern of individualized bonded areas defining a hexagonal shape. and wherein the surface area of the bonded areas is 10-30% of the total surface area of the sides and the surface area of the unbonded areas is 70-90% of the total surface area of the sides .

A major advantage of the present invention is that the pattern of the present invention is relatively simple to manufacture and has improved perceived softness. Furthermore, the three-dimensional surface of the nonwoven fabric of the present invention provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to its user. Another major advantage is that the nonwovens according to the invention exhibit improved softness and at the same time high tensile strength. This is surprising since softness and dimensional stability (ie, high tensile strength) of thermally bonded nonwoven fabrics are generally considered to be mutually exclusive characteristics.

detailed description

According to the present invention, said nonwoven fabric comprises a nonwoven web comprising a side having a first pattern of individualized bonded areas defining a second pattern of unbonded areas having a hexagonal shape. pattern, and wherein the surface area of the bonded area is 10-30% of the total surface area of the side and the surface area of the unbonded area is 70-90% of the total surface area of the side. The high surface area of the unbonded areas used according to the invention provides a noticeably high softness. In addition, large unbonded areas bulk up the fibers and increase the bulk of the fabric. This is considered an even higher softness, both visually and tactilely. Preferably, the surface area of the unbonded area is at least 70% and less than 85% of the total surface area of said sides. Preferably, the surface area of the unbonded areas is 75-85% of the total surface area of the sides.

The surface area of the bonding area is preferably greater than 15% and at most 30%, more preferably 15-25%, of the total surface area of the sides.

The first pattern of individualized bonded areas defines a second pattern of unbonded areas having a hexagonal shape.

Preferably, the side of the nonwoven fabric has only the first pattern and the second pattern, which means that there are no other patterns of bonded or unbonded regions on the side of the nonwoven fabric.

Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a nonwoven fabric suitable for use in an absorbent article comprising a nonwoven web comprising a side having an overall pattern consisting of a first pattern and a second pattern, wherein the first pattern is A pattern of individualized bonded areas that defines a second pattern of unbonded areas having a hexagonal shape, and wherein the bonded areas have a surface area of 10-30% of the total surface area of the sides and the unbonded areas The combined area has a surface area of 70-90% of the total surface area of the sides.

Preferably, the individualized adhesive regions have a non-linear shape. In the context of this application, a non-linear shape is defined as a shape that is not itself linear or does not contain one or more linear parts.

Suitably, the unbonded area has a regular or irregular hexagonal shape with one or more sides of different lengths. Preferably, the unbonded areas have a regular hexagonal shape.

Suitably, the surface area of the unbonded region is in the range 20-50 mm ² , preferably in the range 22-45 mm ² , and more preferably in the range 23-40 mm ² .

Suitably, the nonwoven web has a basis weight in the range of 5-80 g/m ² , preferably in the range of 6-50 g/m ² , and more preferably at least 8 g/m ² and less than 40 g/m ² , even more preferably ^In the range of 8-30g/m2.

Suitably, the individualized adhesive regions have a symmetrical shape, such as a circle, rhombus, rectangle, square, ellipse, triangle, heart, moon, star, hexagon, octagon or other polygonal shape. Preferably, the bonding area has a circular or hexagonal shape. More preferably, the bonding area has a circular shape.

Suitably, the bonded area has a maximum width in the range of 0.7-1.5mm, preferably in the range of 0.75-1.25mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.8-1.2mm.

Suitably, the surface area of the bonding region is in the range of 0.38-1.77 mm ² , preferably in the range of 0.44-1.22 mm ² , and more preferably in the range of 0.50-1.13 mm ² . Suitably, the discrete unbonded areas have a thickness in the range of 0.4-1.5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.4-0.9 mm, more preferably in the range of 0.4-0.8 mm, and most preferably in the range of 0.5-0.7 mm. within range.

Suitably, an even number of bonded areas defines a single unbonded area. Preferably, a single unbonded area is defined by 6, 12, 18 or 24 individually bonded areas, more preferably 12, 18 or 24 individually bonded areas, and most preferably by 12 individually bonded areas limited.

Suitably, according to WSP110.4, the tensile strength of the nonwoven web of the present invention in MD is in the range of 1-4 N per gram unit weight, preferably in the range of 1.2-3.5 N per gram unit weight, and more preferably In the range of 1.3-3.0N per gram unit weight. A nonwoven web with such tensile strength provides a nonwoven article with high tensile strength.

Preferably, the nonwoven web has a basis weight of at least ⁸ g/ ^m2 and less than 40 g/m2, and the surface area of the bonded regions is preferably greater than 15% and at most 30% of the total surface area of the sides. More preferably, the basis weight of the nonwoven web is in the range of 8-30 g/m ² and the surface area of the bonded areas is 15-25% of the total surface area of the sides. Nonwoven webs with such low basis weight and high bonded areas provide nonwoven articles with improved softness, making them attractive for personal hygiene absorbent applications.

More preferably, the nonwoven web has a basis weight of at least ⁸ g/ ^m2 and less than 40 g/m2; the surface area of the bonded regions of the nonwoven web is preferably greater than 15% and at most 30% of the total surface area of the sides , and according to WSP110.4, the tensile strength of the nonwoven web in the machine direction (MD) is in the range of 1-4N per gram unit weight.

The WSP test method is an internationally recognized test method in the nonwoven industry, as understood by those skilled in the art.

Even more preferably, said nonwoven web has a basis weight in the range of 8-30 g/m ² , the nonwoven web has a bonded area having a surface area of 15-25% of the total surface area of said sides; The tensile strength of the woven web is in the range of 1.2-3.5 N per gram unit weight. A nonwoven web having such a low basis weight, high bond area, and high tensile strength provides a nonwoven article with excellent softness and dimensional stability.

Suitable nonwoven webs can be prepared by any means known in the art for making nonwovens.

The nonwoven web may be a single layer or multilayer nonwoven having, for example, at least one layer of a spunbond web connected to at least one layer of a meltblown web, a carded web, or other suitable material.

Preferably, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention further comprises a second nonwoven web.

The nonwoven web can be extensible, elastic or inelastic. The nonwoven web can be a spunbond web, a meltblown web, an air-laid web, or a carded web. If the nonwoven web is a meltblown web, it may comprise meltblown microfibers.

Nonwoven webs are particularly suitably made from fibers of thermoplastic polymers (e.g., polyolefins, polyesters, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, butene copolymers, and combinations thereof), but may also contain natural Fibers (for example, wood, cotton or rayon). The nonwoven web may also be a composite material made from a mixture of two or more different fibers or a mixture of fibers and particles.

The fibers are suitably joined together by bonding to form a bonded web structure. Suitable bonding techniques include, but are not limited to, chemical bonding and thermal bonding, eg, thermal calendering or bonding by hot air flow.

A wide variety of suitable polyolefins can be used in the present invention. Suitable examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, poly(ethylene-butylene), poly(ethylene-hexene), poly(ethylene-octene), poly(ethylene-propylene) block polymers, Examples include styrene/isoprene/styrene and styrene/polybutadiene/styrene. The polyolefins may comprise homopolymers or copolymers, such as propylene-alpha-olefin copolymers. In particular, the latter copolymers can be advantageously used in the present invention. Preferred are polyolefin materials comprising propylene-alpha-olefin copolymers and propylene homopolymers.

Suitably, said polyolefin material has a melt flow rate (MFR) of less than 90 dg/min. The MFR is determined using ASTM test method D1238, 2.16 kg. Preferably, the MFR of the polyolefin material is in the range of 15-50 dg/min, more preferably in the range of 15-35 dg/min.

Preferably, the fibers are made of polyethylene homopolymer or polypropylene homopolymer, copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene, blends of polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester, copolymers of polyester and/or poly A blend of esters is formed.

Suitable for use are propylene or vinyl homopolymers or copolymers. In the case of propylene-based polymers, the polymer may comprise comonomer-derived units selected from ethylene and C4-C10 alpha-olefins. In the case of vinyl polymers, the polymer may comprise comonomer-derived units selected from C3-C10 alpha-olefins. Examples of suitable polyolefin materials include propylene homopolymers, ethylene homopolymers, propylene copolymers and ethylene copolymers, for example, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene ( LDPE).

Suitable polyesters may be aliphatic polyesters such as polylactic acid, or aromatic polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT).

In addition to the additives already contained in the polymer used, other additives may be added to provide additional properties to the fibers. Suitable other additives include heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, slip additives, waxes, and additives that render the fabric hydrophilic or hydrophobic. The addition of filler materials may also sometimes be advantageous. Suitable filler materials include organic filler materials and inorganic filler materials. Examples of suitable inorganic filler materials include minerals such as calcium carbonate, metals such as aluminum, and stainless steel. Examples of suitable organic filler materials include sugar-based polymers.

Various fiber cross-sections are possible. In general, circular fiber cross-sections are preferred, but trilobal or multilobal fibers can also advantageously be used. Other suitable fiber cross-sections include triangular cross-sections, bone-shaped cross-sections, moon-shaped cross-sections, hollow fiber cross-sections, and ribbon-shaped cross-sections.

The fibers from which the nonwoven web is made may suitably be monocomponent fibers or multicomponent fibers (eg, bicomponent fibers). Examples of suitable multicomponent fibers include symmetric and eccentric core/shell fibers, A/B or A/B/A structured side-by-side fibers, segmented pie fibers, islands-in-the-sea fibers, and striped fibers. Preference is given to bicomponent fibers in which the two components are arranged in a symmetrical core-sheath fashion or in a side-by-side fashion. Most preferred are core-sheath bicomponent fibers comprising polyethylene and polypropylene, but any other combination of other suitable polymers is also possible, such as combinations of polyesters with polyolefins. Generally, for core-sheath fibers, the core contains a component with a higher melting point and the sheath contains a component with a lower melting point, but it may be advantageous to have it reversed. In a preferred embodiment, the bicomponent fibers have a core of polypropylene and a sheath of polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the bicomponent fiber comprises 10% to 90% by weight of the higher melting point component in the core and 90% to 10% by weight of the lower melting point component in the sheath. point. Most preferably, the bicomponent fiber has 30% to 70% by weight of the higher melting point component in the core. The bicomponent fibers may contain different types of polypropylene. More preferably, the bicomponent fiber has a core of polypropylene (with a higher melting point) and a sheath of polypropylene (with a lower melting point). In another preferred embodiment, the side-by-side bicomponent fibers comprise two polypropylenes having different melt temperatures and melt flow rates.

The fibers can be produced according to spinning processes known in the art. The most commonly used are the spunbond process and the meltblown process, through which nonwoven fabrics can be directly formed.

Spunbond fibers are typically produced by extruding molten polymer from a large spinneret with several thousand holes per linear meter or from rows of smaller spinnerettes (eg, containing as few as 40 holes) . After exiting the spinneret, the molten fibers are quenched through a cross-flow air quenching system before being drawn off the spinneret and attenuated by a high velocity air stream. Deposition of the filaments is carried out on an air permeable conveyor belt to produce a nonwoven layer. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and have a fiber diameter in the range of about 10-100 μm.

Meltblown fibers, on the other hand, are generally much smaller in diameter and typically between 0.5-10 μm. Furthermore, meltblown fibers are considered to be substantially discontinuous.

The melt blowing process is a process for forming fibers by extruding molten thermoplastic material in the form of molten yarn or filament through multiple small, usually circular die tubes to high speed, usually A heated gas stream that attenuates filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter. The meltblowing process typically has filaments in a single row of filaments across the width of the die. Thus, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity air stream and deposited on a collecting surface, thereby forming a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Meltblown fibers can be continuous or discontinuous microfibers.

The nonwoven fabrics of the present invention may also be subjected to other treatments to add specific properties. Most common are topical treatments to render the fabric hydrophilic or to render it hydrophobic. Most commonly the fabric is treated with a hydrophilic surfactant or with a fluorocarbon or silicon material. In the context of the present invention, a nonwoven fabric or nonwoven web surface is "hydrophilic" when the contact angle of water placed on the surface of the nonwoven fabric or nonwoven web is less than about 90°, and when placed on the surface A surface of a nonwoven fabric or nonwoven web is "hydrophobic" when the contact angle of water on the surface of the nonwoven fabric or nonwoven web is greater than or equal to 90°.

Preferably, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric.

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention may consist of only one type of fiber or fiber layer (for example a spunbond layer), but it may also suitably contain additional, possibly different, fiber layers. Suitable multilayer fabrics, for example, may include one or more spunbond layers (S) and one or more meltblown layers (M), such as SMS, SMMS, SSMMS, etc., adhered to each other to form the fabric of the present invention. non-woven fabric. Typically, these multilayer fabrics are made in one step on a single wire with multiple beams, often including a combination of spunbond and meltblown beams. In some cases it may be advantageous or technically necessary to prepare the multilayers of the invention in two or more separate steps.

Spunbond layers with different fiber cross-sections or with different fiber types can also be used. For example, it is also possible to combine a layer of trilobal filaments with a layer of round fibers, or a core-sheath bicomponent layer with a side-by-side bicomponent layer.

Combinations of spunbond layers with natural fibers are also possible. Preferably, the additional nonwoven web used according to the invention is made of meltblown fibres.

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention may consist of one or more single layers, the basis weight of said nonwoven fabric may suitably be in the range of 5-80 g/m ² , preferably in the range of 6-50 g/m ² , and More preferably at least 8 g/m ² and less than 40 g/m ² , even more preferably in the range of 8-30 g/m ² .

Suitably, the nonwoven web used according to the invention comprises up to 40% by weight of meltblown fibers, based on the total weight of the nonwoven web. Preferably, the nonwoven web comprises up to 30% by weight of meltblown fibers, more preferably 20-30% by weight of meltblown fibers, based on the total weight of the nonwoven web.

Suitably, the nonwoven webs of the present invention comprise meltblown fibers only, not a mixture of meltblown fibers and another type of fiber.

The present invention also relates to hygienic absorbent articles comprising the nonwoven according to the invention.

Suitably, the hygienic absorbent article of the present invention is a disposable hygienic absorbent article selected from incontinence articles, diapers, wipes and feminine care articles. Suitable disposable hygienic absorbent articles of the present invention include disposable hygienic absorbent articles selected from the group consisting of baby diapers, pull-ups, training pants, hygienic closure systems, adult incontinence briefs and diapers, hygienic Pads, sanitary napkins, medical clothing, and bandages. Suitable wipes may comprise wet wipes or dry wipes for hygiene purposes.

Disposable hygienic absorbent articles are hygienic absorbent articles which are not intended to be laundered or restored or reused as hygienic absorbent articles. Typically, such absorbent articles comprise a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet has an integral joining zone or serves as a joining zone itself, and comprises a nonwoven web that is positioned as the outermost layer of the absorbent article and prevents liquids from penetrating the hygienic absorbent article, while exudates from the lower body of the wearer will pass through the top surface. sheet and is absorbed by the absorbent core. An additional function of the topsheet is to provide skin comfort.

In addition, disposable sanitary absorbent articles typically include a hook or loop fastening system for fastening the disposable sanitary absorbent article around the lower torso of the wearer. When used as a loop fastening system or a hook fastening system for a disposable personal care hygiene absorbent article, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention may be bonded or attached to the outer layer or the outer layer of the article as discrete pieces of loop material. on the back. Alternatively, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention may form the entire outer layer or backsheet of such disposable personal care hygiene absorbent articles and serve as a land. The hook or loop fastening system may be any of a variety of commercially available hook or loop fastening systems.

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention may suitably be part of the topsheet, backsheet, lands and/or loop fastening members. Preferably, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is part of the backsheet and/or the lands.

The present invention also relates to methods for forming the nonwoven fabrics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a method for forming a nonwoven fabric comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a nonwoven web; and

(b) providing the nonwoven web to a nip defined between opposed first and second rolls, whereby at least one roll has a patterned outer surface for applying a bonding pattern to the first nonwoven web. The web is woven whereby the bonding pattern comprises a first pattern and a second pattern as defined above.

The present invention also relates to a method for forming the nonwoven fabric of the present invention comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a first nonwoven web;

(b) forming a second nonwoven web;

(c) providing said first nonwoven web and second nonwoven web into a nip defined between opposed first and second rolls, whereby at least one roll has a patterned outer surface, such that applying a bonding pattern comprising a first pattern and a second pattern as defined above; and

(d) Bonding the first nonwoven web and the second nonwoven web together to form a nonwoven fabric.

Alternatively, the first nonwoven web and the second nonwoven web may be prebonded before the formed nonwoven web is provided into a nip formed by rolls.

Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a method for forming the nonwoven fabric of the present invention comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a first nonwoven web;

(b) forming a second nonwoven web;

(c) bonding the first nonwoven web and the second nonwoven web together to form a nonwoven fabric; and

(d) providing the nonwoven fabric formed in step (c) into a nip defined between opposed first and second rolls, whereby at least one roll has a patterned outer surface so that the adhesive A bonding pattern is applied to the first nonwoven web, whereby the bonding pattern comprises first and second patterns as defined above; and

(e) Recycling the nonwoven fabric.

The rollers used in the method of the invention are suitably right cylinders, which may be made of any suitable, durable material. Such rollers will be operated in a manner known in the art.

The positions of the opposed rollers may be appropriately adjusted to form a nip between the two rollers. Depending on the properties of the nonwoven web or webs to be processed, the nip pressure between the nips can be appropriately adjusted. The same applies to the temperature necessary for the calender rolls, which needs to be adjusted according to the desired final properties and the type of fibers to be bonded.

The bonded area is suitably formed by melting by controlling the temperature of at least one roller. The temperature of the outer surface of at least one roller can be adjusted by heating or cooling the roller. Heating and cooling can affect the characteristics of the web being processed and the degree of bonding of a single or multiple webs passing through the nip formed between the individual rolls.

A roll ready for use contains an adhesive pattern on its outermost surface comprising a continuous pattern of bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete openings, voids or holes. Each opening in the one or more rolls will form a discrete unbonded area on at least one side of the nonwoven fabric or nonwoven web. The other roller will suitably have a smoother outer surface than the other rollers. Preferably, the outer surface of the other roller is smooth or flat. The rotational speeds of the respective rollers are substantially the same.

The invention will be further illustrated below by means of the non-limiting figures.

In Figure 1, the side of the nonwoven fabric is shown with a bond pattern comprising the first and second patterns of the present invention. The first pattern of individualized bonded areas 1 defines a second pattern of unbonded areas 2 . The individualized bonded areas 1 are circular and the unbonded areas 2 are hexagonal in shape.

Example

A number of nonwoven fabrics have been prepared in accordance with the present invention. In addition, a number of comparative nonwoven fabrics were prepared which fell outside the scope of the present invention.

The nonwovens were all made from polypropylene in a melt spinning process on a Reicofil machine. The polypropylene has a melt flow rate of 25 g/10 min (2.16 kg at 230°C), and the polypropylene is processed at 230-235°C. Spinning was performed at a throughput of 170 kg/hr/m. The melt is extruded through a spinning nozzle, drawn, quenched and laid down on a conveyor belt. Set the line speed to obtain the corresponding unit weight. The bulky fibers are then cured by passing them through a heated calender.

The nonwoven fabric of the present invention comprising unbonded areas with hexagonal shapes has the following characteristics: bonded area: 17.6%; number of shapes per cm ² : 24.8; surface area of bonded points: circular bonded points Dimensions: 0.97mm (diameter); and side-to-side distance of the hexagonal shape: 4.8mm.

The comparative nonwoven fabric had a conventional oval shaped bonded area with the following characteristics: bonded area: 18.1%; number of shapes per cm ² : 49.9; surface area of bonded points: 0.363 mm ² ; bonded points Dimensions: 0.882×0.524mm.

WSP110.4 was used as the test method to determine the tensile strength (N/5 cm) in the machine direction (MD) while WSP90.3 was used in the Handle-O-Meter test. These tests are all known standard methods in the nonwoven industry.

In Table 1 the results of these tests are shown for various nonwoven fabrics with increasing basis weights (gsm).

Table 1

It can be seen from Table 1 that the tensile strength and hardness increase with the increase of unit weight. However, the fabric with conventional elliptical bonded areas showed a greater increase in stiffness than the nonwoven with hexagonal shaped unbonded areas. However, the tensile strength remained essentially the same. For example, a 50 gsm fabric with a hexagonal shape provides a tensile strength of 149 N/5 cm, while a 50 gsm fabric with an oval shape provides a tensile strength of 160 N/5 cm. The tensile strength of the latter is only increased by less than 10%, while the hardness is more than twice that of the former (hexagon: 420mN and ellipse: 870mN). To achieve a similar softness of 420 mN, the basis weight of the oval pattern bonded fabric had to be reduced to about 35 gsm. This is undesirable in view of the reduced liquid absorption and retention capacity when the basis weight is reduced. Apparently at the same level of softness, the conventional oval bonded fabric exhibits a much lower tensile strength. This makes the conventional oval bonded fabric unattractive for use in hygienic absorbent articles.

These data demonstrate that high softness (low stiffness) and high tensile strength are not mutually exclusive and can come together to benefit the resulting material. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric of the present invention is more attractive in the application of personal hygiene absorbent articles which are in direct contact with the wearer's skin.

Claims (18)

1. one kind is applicable to the supatex fabric comprising nonwoven web of sanitary absorbent article, described net comprises a side, this side has the first pattern of independent adhesion area, which defines the second pattern of the non-adhesion area with hexagonal shape, and wherein the surface area of this adhesion area is the 10-30% of the total surface area of described side and the surface area of this non-adhesion area is the 70-90% of the total surface area of described side.

2. the supatex fabric of claim 1, the surface area of wherein said non-adhesion area is at least 70% of the total surface area of bonding patterns and is less than 85%.

3. the supatex fabric of claim 2, the surface area of wherein said non-adhesion area is the 75-85% of the total surface area of bonding patterns.

4. the supatex fabric any one of claim 1-3, the surface area of wherein said adhesion area be greater than the total surface area of bonding patterns 15% and maximum 30%.

5. the supatex fabric any one of claim 1-4, wherein said nonwoven web has at least 8g/m ²and be less than 40g/m ²unit Weight.

6. the supatex fabric of claim 5, wherein said Unit Weight is at 8-30g/m ²scope in.

7. the supatex fabric method any one of claim 1-5, wherein said adhesion area have circle, rhombus, rectangle, square, ellipse, triangle, heart, the moon shape, star, hexagon, octagon or other polygonal shape.

8. the supatex fabric of claim 7, wherein said adhesion area has circle or hexagonal shape.

9. the supatex fabric of claim 8, wherein said adhesion area has round-shaped.

10. the supatex fabric any one of claim 1 to 9, wherein the first nonwoven web comprises the fiber be made up of the thermoplastic being selected from polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, polyurethane and its any mixture.

The supatex fabric of 11. claim 10, wherein said fiber is made up of polyethylene or polypropylene homopolymer, polyethylene and polyacrylic copolymer, polyethylene and polyacrylic blend, polyester, the copolymer of polyester and/or the blend of polyester.

The supatex fabric of 12. claim 10 or 11, wherein said fiber is homofil or multicomponent fibre.

Supatex fabric any one of 13. claim 1-12, it comprises extra nonwoven web.

14. sanitary absorbent articles comprising the supatex fabric any one of claim 1-13.

The sanitary absorbent article of 15. claim 14, wherein said supatex fabric is tergite and/or the bonding land of absorbent article.

The sanitary absorbent article of 16. claims 14 or 15, wherein said sanitary absorbent article is the disposable hygienic absorbent article being selected from incontinence articles, diaper, cleaning piece and feminine care.

17. for the formation of the method for supatex fabric, and it comprises the following steps:

A () forms nonwoven web; And

B this nonwoven web is provided in the roll gap limited between the first roller staggered relatively and the second roller by (), at least one roller has patterning outer surface thus, bonding patterns is applied on the first nonwoven web, thus this bonding patterns to comprise any one of claim 1-12 the first and second patterns of defining.

18. for the formation of the method for the supatex fabric of claim 13, and it comprises the following steps:

A () forms the first nonwoven web;

B () forms the second nonwoven web;

C described first nonwoven web and the second nonwoven web are provided in the roll gap limited between the first roller staggered relatively and the second roller by (), at least one roller has patterning outer surface thus, bonding patterns is applied on described first nonwoven web, thus this bonding patterns to comprise any one of claim 1-12 the first and second patterns of defining; And

D described first nonwoven web and the second nonwoven web are bonded together by (), to form described supatex fabric.