JPH09209255A - Fibrous structure, its production, nonwoven fabric structure using the same and nonwoven fabric laminated structure using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impart separate functions to a fiber structure, expand uses, attenuate a fiber into a fine diameter, distribute functional substances into the fiber surface and improve mechanical strength and heat resistance of the fiber structure and its applied product, SOLUTION: This fiber structure comprises a functional substance A added thereto in the fiber structure prepared by mixing an expandable substance B in a molten thermoplastic polymer P, utilizing bursting of bubbles produced therefrom and thereby forming many slits in a molded resin thin film. The resultant fiber structure 10 is used to compose a nonwoven fabric structure and a nonwoven fabric laminated structure.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fiber structure made of a thermoplastic polymer formed by utilizing a so-called burst fiber method, and particularly, a function separate from the original function of the fiber structure is added. The present invention relates to a fiber structure and a method for producing the same, a non-woven fabric structure using the same, and a non-woven fabric laminated structure using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the applicants has improved the conventional burst fiber method and added a new structure to the conventional burst fiber method so that the apparent density is smaller and bulkiness is higher than that of a conventional sheet-like fiber structure. As a method for producing a sheet-like fibrous structure which has excellent richness, flexibility, texture, and the like, and which is capable of forming fine fibers, and has excellent productivity, Japanese Patent Publication No.
7 to 36833 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 49-18508.

That is, as a conventional burst fiber method, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 43-25960 is known, which is a foam of azodicarbonamide (carboxylic acid amide) or the like which generates an inert gas in polyamide. Of the organic substance is added and mixed, further melted, and the draft rate (ratio between the take-up speed of the molten polymer and the linear velocity of the discharge (extrusion)) is 2.0 to 1 from the slit-shaped discharge holes having a gap of 0.2 mm or less.
It is spun out as 0.0 to obtain a hollow flat linear object divided into many meshes by many splits. On the other hand, the applicant's improved burst fiber method makes it possible to increase the splitting rate and increase the draft rate by rapidly cooling the molten polymer at the die exit, thereby making it possible to increase the slit spacing at the die exit. It is intended to have an effect.

On the other hand, the other of the present applicant pays attention to the existence of various functional materials, and a functional substance using these functional materials and an applied product obtained by applying the functional substance to various technical fields. And the manufacturing technology for these. Specifically, a multipurpose deodorant granule containing a deodorant component and other functional components in a single particle and development of a method for producing the same (JP-A-3-198859), an example of a repellent substance for aquatic organisms in a porous fine powder Of an aquatic organism adhesion-preventing paint that supports tourmaline as a material (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-70716)
No.), a concavo-convex molded sheet formed of an elastomer containing a phosphorescent pigment, and a method for producing the same (Japanese Patent Application No. 7-70582), and the like, and functional materials for articles that could not be conventionally applied. And the addition of multiple functions to one article.

[0005]

The problems to be solved by the present invention are, for example, night visibility, designability, bactericidal action, deodorizing action, repellent action of aquatic organisms, heavy metal ions, etc. on the fiber structure. Expanding applications by adding additional functions such as electrodeposition and increasing added value, and even if a functional substance completely different from the thermoplastic polymer is added, fiber breakage and dissolution at the die exit Preventing polymer clogging, distributing functional substances on the fiber surface by further reducing the fiber diameter, and improving the mechanical strength such as tensile strength and heat resistance of the fiber structure itself and its applied products Especially.

The present invention has been devised in order to solve the above problems by fully recognizing the existence of such conventional techniques and problems to be solved. That is, the secondary processing for improving the shape of the die outlet, setting the operating position and the operating direction of the cooling air corresponding to the shape, improving the bonding between the fiber structure and the functional substance, which did not exist in the past, and the mechanical strength. An object of the present invention is to provide a fibrous structure and a method for producing the same, a non-woven fabric structure using the same, and a non-woven fabric laminated structure using the same, by attempting product development and the like.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems That is, the present invention is as follows. As described in claim 1, that is, by mixing a foamable substance in a molten thermoplastic polymer and utilizing the rupture of bubbles generated thereby, a large number of splits are formed in a molded resin thin film. In the fibrous structure formed by the above, a functional substance is added to the fibrous structure. And, even if a functional substance completely different from the thermoplastic polymer is added by means of such specific matters of the invention, the fiber is not broken, the dissolved polymer is clogged at the die exit, and the fiber is not increased in diameter. A new fiber structure having good quality and having the new function as described above is provided, and the above problems can be solved.

Further, as described in claim 2, that is, in addition to the above requirements, any one of a phosphorescent pigment, an optical semiconductor, a multipurpose deodorizing granule, or tourmaline as the functional substance,
Alternatively, it is characterized by including a combination of plural kinds of these. And, by using the specific matters of such an invention, when a phosphorescent pigment is applied, night visibility, functionality such as designability is sterilized when an optical semiconductor is applied, and a multipurpose deodorant granule is used. When applied, the function of deodorizing and other effects when applied is fiber, and the function such as repellent action of aquatic organisms and electrodeposition of heavy metal ions due to the surface-active effect of tourmaline. Since it is added to the structure, the above problem can be solved.

Further, as described in claim 3, that is, in addition to the requirements of claim 2, the composition comprises strontium aluminate as the phosphorescent pigment or a composition containing the same as a main component. Is. And, by using the specific matters of the invention as described above, the brightness of the phosphorescent pigment is remarkably improved, the afterglow time is increased, and the night visibility, the designability, and the like are remarkably exhibited. For example, application to sportswear and the like can be expected, and the above problems can be solved.

Still further, as described in claim 4, that is, in addition to the requirement of claim 2 or 3, TiO ₂ is contained as the optical semiconductor. And, by using such specific matters of the invention as means,
The excellent electrochemical action of TiO ₂ is exerted, a remarkable bactericidal action is obtained, and the above-mentioned bactericidal action becomes remarkable, and it can be expected to be applied to clothes and curtains of food factories and hospitals. The above-mentioned problems can be solved.

Further, as described in claim 5, that is, in addition to the requirement of claim 2, 3 or 4, the multipurpose deodorant granule is a simple substance having a multi-layered structure and one layer thereof The present invention is characterized in that it contains a deodorant component, and further contains a single particle containing an aromatic agent, an insect repellent, an insect attractant, an insect repellant, or another deodorant component having a different object of action in the other layer. And, by using such specific matters of the invention as means,
In addition to deodorizing action, aroma action, insect repellent action, insect attracting action, anaerobic action or other deodorizing action with a different target is added, and the functionality consisting of the above deodorizing action and other actions is further exerted in combination. As a result, it can be expected to be applied to clothes, towels, socks, insoles, etc., and the above problems can be solved.

Furthermore, as described in claim 6, that is, in addition to the above requirements, the fibrous structure is formed by forming a large number of splits in a resin thin film formed in a cylindrical shape. It is a thing. Then, by using the specific matters of the invention as a means, it is possible to contribute to the expansion of the surface area of the fiber structure, and the functional substance is distributed on the surface of the fiber structure, so that the above various functions are remarkably exhibited. As a result, the above problems can be solved.

Furthermore, as described in claim 7, that is, by adding a functional substance to the raw material of the thermoplastic polymer,
After heating and melting this material and transferring it while kneading, and further mixing a foaming substance into this material,
0.2 to 1.0 m formed inside the die by reaching the inside of the die
The resin thin film formed into a cylindrical shape is extruded from a die exit at the tip of the extrusion slit having a width of m, and the draft ratio is 30 to 120 while directly blowing compressed air from directly below the center of the die exit. It is characterized in that the resin thin film is taken out under the setting condition. Then, by using such specific matters of the invention as a means, an additional function is added to the fiber structure to increase the added value, thereby expanding the application.
And even if a functional substance that is completely different from the thermoplastic polymer is added, it is possible to prevent fiber breakage and clogging of the dissolved polymer at the die exit, and to further reduce the diameter of the fiber, and place the functional substance on the fiber surface. It becomes possible to distribute, to improve the mechanical strength such as tensile strength and heat resistance of the fiber structure itself and its applied product, and the like, whereby the above problems can be solved.

Further, as described in claim 8, that is, in addition to the requirement of claim 7, when the functional substance is added to the raw material of the thermoplastic polymer, the porosity is reduced by mechanical impact means. It is characterized in that the functional substance is added after being embedded or fixed to the powder. And, when there is a difference in specific gravity between the thermoplastic polymer and the functional substance and it is difficult to uniformly mix the two, it is possible to facilitate the mixing by using the specific matters of the invention as described above. When it is desired to gradually exert the action of a substance and maintain the action for a long time, such action can be achieved, and the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

Further, as described in claim 9, that is, a large number of resin thin films are formed by mixing a foaming substance into a molten thermoplastic polymer and utilizing the bursting of bubbles generated thereby. In a structure formed as a non-woven fabric by using a fibrous structure formed by splitting the fissures (such a structure is referred to as a non-woven fabric structure), a functional substance is added to the fibrous structure. It is characterized by that. And by means of such specific matters of the invention, even if a functional substance completely different from the thermoplastic polymer is added, breakage of the fiber, clogging of the melted polymer at the die exit, increase in diameter of the fiber, etc. do not occur, Moreover, a non-woven fabric structure having high mechanical strength, high quality and new functions can be provided, and it can be expected to be applied as a substitute for packaging materials or papers, for example, and the above problems can be solved.

Further, as described in claim 10, that is, a large number of resin thin films are formed by mixing a foaming substance into a molten thermoplastic polymer and utilizing the bursting of bubbles generated thereby. In the non-woven fabric structure formed by using the fibrous structure formed by splitting, the non-woven fabric structure includes two types, one containing a functional substance in the fibrous structure and the other containing no functional substance. Exist and at least one of them contains a low-melting thermoplastic polymer, and these two kinds of non-woven fabric structures are alternately laminated, and they are integrally joined by thermocompression bonding. It is characterized by consisting of. And by means of such specific matters of the invention, even if a functional substance completely different from the thermoplastic polymer is added, breakage of the fiber, clogging of the melted polymer at the die exit, increase in diameter of the fiber, etc. do not occur, Moreover, mechanical strength is further increased, and further excellent breathability and heat resistance, a high-quality non-woven laminate structure with a new function is provided, and for example, insole of sports shoes and tongue part are provided. As a material
Or it can be expected to be applied as a material for hats and wallpapers,
The above problems can be solved.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The fibrous structure of the present invention, the method for producing the same, the non-woven fabric structure using the same and the non-woven fabric laminated structure using the same will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the production method of the present invention will be described in detail first, and in the description, the basic embodiments of the fiber structure of the present invention will be collectively referred to, and then the fiber structure of the present invention. After adding other embodiments of the body, the non-woven fabric structure of the present invention and the non-woven fabric laminated structure of the present invention will be described in this order while referring to their manufacturing methods.

The method for producing the fiber structure of the present invention is roughly classified into (1) supply of raw material, (2) addition of functional substance,
The processes are classified into (3) heating, kneading, (4) mixing of a foaming substance, (5) pressure supply to a die, (6) cooling, and (7) take-back. Hereinafter, these steps will be described in order according to the examples of FIGS. However, the present invention is not limited to the case of the examples of FIGS. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing an extrusion molding machine for carrying out the manufacturing method of the present invention in a skeleton form, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of the die and a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. Is. (1) Supply of Raw Material In the production method of the present invention, when the purpose is to continuously form a long fiber structure, extrusion molding using an extruder 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is performed. Is possible. .
Therefore, as the raw material used in the present invention, the thermoplastic polymer P capable of melt extrusion can be used. As the thermoplastic polymer P, various ones can be applied. In addition to polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), poly-ε-caproamide, polyhexamethylene adipamide, etc. Polyamide (PA), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
Polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate (PC), a copolymer containing them as a main component, or a mixture thereof can be applied. In the present specification, the term “nylon (NY)” which is a general name for the polyamide (PA) is used below. Then, in this step, such a thermoplastic polymer P is supplied as a raw material to the hopper 2 in the extruder 1.

(2) Addition of functional substance The raw material of the thermoplastic polymer P supplied to the hopper 2 is sent to the transfer feeder 3 located below the hopper 2, and further transferred to the extruder 4 by this transfer feeder 3. To be done. Then, at least before the thermoplastic polymer P reaches the extruder 4, the functional substance A is added. Further, since the functional substance A is present in the fibrous structure 10 of the present invention, which is a molded product, in a state of deeply penetrating or dispersing, functional deterioration, peeling, and dropping due to abrasion are suppressed or prevented.

As the functional substance A, materials having various functionalities can be applied. For example, a phosphorescent pigment,
Any one of optical semiconductors, multipurpose deodorant granules and tourmaline, or a combination of a plurality of these can be used. Among these, as the phosphorescent pigment, one having a brightness as large as possible and an excellent afterglow property is desirable because it has an effect of improving night visibility. In addition, a luminous phosphorescent pigment containing no radioactive substance is preferable to a self-luminous night-light (phosphorescent) pigment containing a radioactive substance that adversely affects the human body. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as an example, a luminescent pigment composed of strontium aluminate or containing strontium aluminate as a main component is used.

This phosphorescent pigment is mainly composed of high-purity alumina, and strontium carbonate and several kinds of rare earth elements are mixed as an activator into this material, and the mixture is heated at a high temperature of 1200 ° C. or higher in a reducing atmosphere. It is formed by calcination for about 3 hours, cooling, crushing, and sieving. A specific example of this phosphorescent pigment is "N night light" (trade name) manufactured by Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd. As a reference, Table 1 shows a characteristic comparison between this phosphorescent pigment (hereinafter referred to as "new luminescent") and the above conventional phosphorescent pigment containing strontium aluminate as a main raw material (hereinafter referred to as "conventional luminescent").

[0022]

[Table 1]

Therefore, since the new night light has a large brightness and a long afterglow time, it can be said that it is an ideal luminous pigment for improving night visibility. Further, in order to maximize the brightness of this new night light, it is understood that the coating thickness when the phosphorescent pigment is used as the phosphorescent paint should be set to about 0.4 mm. Although the above data obtained by coating cannot be directly applied to the present invention under different conditions, the thickness of the dispersion layer of the phosphorescent pigment distributed in the surface of the fiber structure 10 or in the fiber structure 10 in a dispersed state, That is, the result of the above data can be used as a reference in setting the depth dimension between the phosphorescent pigment existing on the most surface side of the fiber structure 10 and the phosphorescent pigment existing on the most inner side of the fiber structure 10. Furthermore, the brightness of the phosphorescent pigment changes variously depending on the color of the base, that is, the color of the surface of the fiber structure 10 or the color behind the phosphorescent pigment distributed in the fiber structure 10 in a dispersed state. Table 2 shows the relationship with the brightness reduction rate.

[0024]

[Table 2]

Therefore, it is understood that the brightness of the phosphorescent pigment becomes the brightest when the background color, that is, the background color where the phosphorescent pigment is distributed in the fiber structure 10 is white. Further, if the base color is formed by combining a plurality of colors having different luminance reduction rates, it is possible to give the fibrous structure 10 a change in luminance. In addition, as such a phosphorescent pigment, it is also possible to use "Chemitec Picarico CP-04" (trade name) of Chemitec Co., Ltd. By the way, this "Chemtech Picarico CP-04" is
It is mainly composed of Al ₂ O ₃ , CaO, MgO, etc., and exhibits a large luminance and an excellent afterglow characteristic as in the case of the “N night light”.

The photo-semiconductor has a bactericidal effect due to an electrochemical action, and by applying it to the surface of plastic or the like by using a low temperature spraying technique, it is possible to effectively exhibit the electrochemical action. It is possible. For example, its application is expected in various fields such as the food industry, pollution prevention, and medical field. Specific examples of optical semiconductors include TiO ₂ , CdS, CdSe, and W.
There are O ₃ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , SrTiO ₃ , KNbO _{3 and the} like, and these can be used alone or by supporting other metal (for example, platinum). Incidentally, TiO _{2 on} which platinum is supported has a remarkably high photocatalytic action and exhibits a large bactericidal effect, so that it belongs to the most suitable class as the optical semiconductor used in the present embodiment.

Further, in the multipurpose deodorant granule, the granules have a multi-layered structure, one layer contains a deodorant component, and the other layer has a different fragrance, insect repellent, insecticide, larvae agent, or other target It is configured as an example by including the deodorizing component of. Among these, as the fragrance, a natural flavor, a synthetic flavor, a blended flavor and the like are dissolved in 40 to 60% alcohol aqueous solution, and dissolved in oily solvents such as salad oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, and cottonseed oil. Oil-soluble fragrances, emulsified fragrances made by using surfactants, etc., as well as natural fragrances, synthetic fragrances, mixed fragrances mixed with and adhering to carriers such as lactose and dextrin, and sprayed fragrances Powdered perfume which has been dried and powdered can be used.

In the case of using these fragrances, when the fragrance itself is at a high temperature, it is liquid, and when it is at room temperature, the gel-like one may be used directly. As a gelling agent such as carrageenan, an aromatic agent may be used, or a thermoplastic resin having good gas permeability and a low melting point may be selected, and the aromatic agent may be a plasticizer, a stabilizer or a porous powder. It may be blended into the body and mixed into the plastic.

In the multipurpose deodorant granules to which the fragrance is applied, the odor component may be adsorbed by the deodorant component contained in the coating layer, and the fragrance action may be reduced, but at least zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are used as the deodorant component. This is not a concern when using an aggregate of particles in which water molecules are tightly bound.

As the insect repellent, paradichlorobenzene or the like can be used. Furthermore, the insect attractant is an odorant that acts on the olfactory sensation of an insect to induce it, and an insect pheromone and other naturally occurring components such as plants that exhibit an attractiveness are known. An insect pheromone is a substance that is produced in the body of an insect and is discharged to the outside of the body to cause specific behaviors of other individuals of the same species. There is an alarm pheromone comparable to the signal.

Further, the repellant has an action opposite to that of the insect attractant, and examples thereof include N, N-dimethyl-m-toluamide which has a strong repellent action against tropical mosquitoes. Furthermore, when another deodorizing component having a different action target is included, two types of deodorizing components are contained in one multipurpose deodorizing granule. As the deodorizing component, in addition to activated carbon, a substance having an adsorbing action such as an aggregate of particles in which zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and water molecules are tightly bound can be used.

Furthermore, tourmaline has a general formula of chemical composition W
x ₃ B ₃ Al ₃ (Al Si ₂ O ₉ ) ₃ (O, OH, F) ₄ (W = N
a, Ca, X = Al, Fe ^III , Li, Mg) Hexagonal heteropolar morphology, usually columnar, but often needle-like, rarely flattened silicate minerals is there.
As its name suggests, this mineral shows remarkable electrical properties, and in particular, it easily produces electrical properties by heating, rubbing, etc., and some of them cause positive electricity at one end and negative electricity at the other end.
Heteropolar elephant is found by the shape of both ends, color difference and pyroelectricity,
It also exhibits extremely strong dichroism. The cleavage is incomplete, the hardness is 7 to 7.5, the specific gravity is 2.9 to 3.2, and the glass has gloss.

This product is widely produced in crystalline schist, gneiss, contact metamorphic rocks, etc., and often large crystals are produced in pegmatite of granite. Specifically, Lithia tourmaline Na (L
i, Al) ₃ Al ₆ (BO ₃ ) ₃ Si ₆ O ₁₈ (OH) ₄ , magnesia tourmaline NaMg ₃ Al ₆ (BO ₃ ) ₃ Si ₆ O ₁₈ (OH) ₄ , iron tourmaline N
There are aFe ₃ ⁺² Al ₆ (BO ₃ ) ₃ Si ₆ O ₁₈ (OH) _{9 and the} like. For these purposes, those with beautiful colors are used as jewelry and also as polarizing plates. The representative production areas in Japan are the Ohira Mine in Oita Prefecture and the Naegi region in Gifu Prefecture. And tourmaline exerts various actions by its own surface-active action.In addition to the repellent action of aquatic organisms, which will be described later, bleaching action based on oxidation and reduction, chlorine action in water, relaxation action of heavy metal ions, etc. It exerts a wearing effect and the like.

Furthermore, it is also possible to apply a repellent substance for aquatic organisms as the other functional substance A. This repellent substance for aquatic organisms may be liquid, solid, or powdery, as long as it can exert a repellent effect by acting physiologically, chemically, physically or electrically on aquatic organisms. It is applicable.

Specifically, eucalyptus oil (cionele, eucalyptol), which has recently been recognized for its repellent effect,
Tannin, tannic acid, saponin, etc., and also a seawater composition that exhibits a repellent effect in the sea by increasing the content ratio of its components, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate and calcium chloride, and further its irritation or The repellent effect of awaking, pepper (powder extract), caffeine, etc., and the enzyme substances such as lipase, amylase, protease, etc. that exert repellent effect by the decomposition action of proteins, etc., as well as nicotine, nicotinic acid, etc. Examples include toxins, aloe extracts, wound healing substances such as propolis, sodium salicylate, limonene, barium titanate, amino-modified silicone oil, and tightly bound particles of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and water. Further, it may be a composite of the repellent substances, such as a powder obtained by drying a mixture of copper chloride in an aqueous sodium chloride solution.

Further, although the above-mentioned ones mainly exert a repellent action by a chemical or physiological action, two types having different ionization tendencies are exerted in addition to these actions, electrically and physically. The combination of the above metal powder, the combination of copper powder and carbon black, the combination of tourmaline and tourmaline and metal, and the combination of each of these metal powder, carbon black, tourmaline and water-absorbent resin as a repellent substance. can do. By the way, when such tourmaline is used as a repellent substance for aquatic organisms,
Since there are no safety and health problems, it can be expected to be applied to fishing nets, for example.

As the other functional substance A, deodorizing fine powder in which zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and water molecules are tightly bound, deodorizing fine powder in which zinc oxide, aluminum oxide and silicon oxide are tightly bound, or zinc oxide It is also possible to use a deodorizing fine powder in which only the two components of aluminum oxide, zinc oxide and silicon oxide are tightly bound, and which mainly has a deodorizing effect. By the way, when such deodorant fine powder is used, acidic gas, alkaline gas,
As well as exhibiting deodorizing effects on a wide range of other gases, since these deodorizing fine powders are oxides and the deodorizing fine powders containing water molecules are also hydrates, even if there is a change in temperature or humidity. A stable deodorizing effect can be exhibited. Furthermore, since these deodorizing fine powders contain metals, the sanitary aspect of the deodorizing fibers is maintained by the antibacterial action of these metals.

Furthermore, when such a functional substance A is added to the raw material of the thermoplastic polymer P, the functional substance A is embedded or fixed in the porous fine powder by mechanical impact means as described later. It is also possible to add after making it. Here, the porous fine powder generally has a particle diameter of about 0.1 μm to 100 μm, and the surface morphology of the particles is formed into various shapes of irregularities, pores, and grooves. Examples thereof include nylon powder, polyethylene powder, acrylic powder, styrene powder, ABS powder, polypropylene powder, as well as gelatin, various waxes, organic substances such as copper powder and silver powder, inorganic substances and metals.

As a method of supporting the functional substance A on such a porous fine powder, the mechanical impact means described below can be applied as an example. That is, while dispersing the porous fine powder and the functional substance A in the gas phase in the same processing chamber, mechanical mechanical energy mainly due to impact force is applied to the particles, and the functional substance A is added to the porous fine powder. Embedded or fixed. Incidentally, as a processing method of this kind, a method such as sandblasting can be applied, and it is also disclosed in JP-A-62-8302.
9, JP-A-62-262737 and JP-A-62-2.
The method described in No. 98443 or the like can be adopted. As such a processing machine, there is a Nara hybridization system manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd., or an Angmill manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd.

In addition to such mechanical impact means, for example, when the diameter of the pores formed in the porous fine powder is large and the diameter of the functional substance A is relatively small, a cylinder is used. It is also possible to mix and fill the porous fine powder and the functional substance A in advance, and give impact force with a piston to embed or fix the functional substance A in the porous fine powder.

(3) Heating, kneading, and the thermoplastic polymer P added with the functional substance A and transferred into the extruder 4 is discharged to the exit of the extruder 4 while being kneaded by the screw 4a provided in the extruder 4. Will be transferred to. Although not shown, a heater is provided on the inner circumference of the cylinder 4b of the extruder 4, and the thermoplastic polymer P is heated by the heater to be in a molten state.

(4) Mixing of Foaming Substance Into the thermoplastic polymer P added with the functional substance A in the molten state in the extruder 4, the following foaming substance B is further mixed. That is, the cylinder 4b of the extruder 4 is provided with a vent port 4c as shown in FIG. 1, and the foamable substance B is supplied from this vent port 4c. Examples of the foamable substance B include nitrogen, helium, etc.
It may be a gas which is substantially inert to the thermoplastic polymer P, or it vaporizes at the time of melting or extrusion of the thermoplastic polymer P such as butane and propane to significantly increase the volume and heat It may be a volatile organic liquid which is substantially inert to the organic polymer P. Further, a foaming agent such as azodicarbonamide, paratoluenesulfonyl semicarbazide, or the like, which itself generates a gas substantially inert to the thermoplastic polymer P, may be used.

(5) Pressurized Supply to Die When the molten thermoplastic polymer P containing the expandable substance B reaches the exit end of the extruder 4, it is pressurized by the pressurizing device 5 and inside the die 6. Extruded into. A gear pump can be adopted as the pressurizing device 5 as an example, but the pressurizing device 5 is not always necessary when a sufficient pushing force can be expected by the extruder 4. The die 6 is composed of, for example, a mandrel 6a and a lip 6b, and an extrusion slit 6c communicating with the flow path from the pressurizing device 5 is formed inside these.

Further, in this embodiment, since it is premised that the continuous fiber structure 10 in a tubular shape is formed, the extrusion slit 6c is formed in a cylindrical shape as an example. The width is set to 0.2 to 1.0 mm. By the way, the slit width is 0.2 to 1.0
mm is 30 to 1 which will be described later when it is less than 0.2 mm.
If the fibrous structure 10 cannot be molded with a high draft rate of 20, and the fiber structure 10 exceeds 1.0 mm, the splitting due to the bubble burst of the foamable substance B generated in the thermoplastic polymer P extruded from the die 6 is insufficient. This is because the fiber diameter of the obtained fiber structure 10 is large and non-uniform. Note that this slit width is set to 0 if the productivity of the fiber structure 10 is taken into consideration.
More preferably, it is set to 25 to 0.55 mm. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diameter of the extrusion slit 6c is widened in the lip 6b, thereby increasing the exit area of the die 6.

(6) Cooling In addition, at the center of such a die 6, a supply line 7 for compressed air G is provided, and at the tip of this supply line 7, a cooling nozzle 7a is provided at the outlet of the die 6. It is arranged to face the neighborhood. As the gas used for cooling the thermoplastic polymer P, various gases can be adopted as long as they do not adversely affect the thermoplastic polymer P, and in the present embodiment, compressed air G is used as an example. Is used. Further, the temperature of the cooling gas needs to be 50 ° C. or lower at the outlet of the cooling nozzle 7a, and is preferably room temperature in consideration of productivity, equipment and the like.

Then, such a gas, for example, compressed air G
In spraying the resin thin film of the thermoplastic polymer P formed into a cylindrical shape extruded from the exit of the die 6, the cooling nozzle 7a located directly below the center of the exit of the die 6
More compressed air G is radially blown onto the inner peripheral surface of the resin thin film. Further, by rapidly cooling the thermoplastic polymer P in this manner, bursting of the above-mentioned bubbles generated in the thermoplastic polymer P becomes active, and many splittings occur in the resin thin film, resulting in a fine fiber diameter. The fibrous structure 10 that it has can be molded.

(7) Take-up Further, a take-up roller 8 is located below the die 6,
The cylindrical resin thin film extruded from the outlet of the die 6 is taken up by the take-up roller 8. The problem here is that the thermoplastic polymer P
Is the ratio of the take-up speed to the extrusion linear speed, that is, the draft rate. In the present invention, the draft rate is 30 to 120.
Is set to Incidentally, when the draft ratio is less than 30, it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the resin thin film extruded from the outlet of the die 6, and the splitting due to the rupture of bubbles becomes insufficient, so that the molded fiber structure 10 is formed. Has a large fiber diameter and is non-uniform.

If the draft ratio exceeds 120, the resin thin film extruded from the outlet of the die 6 is likely to break. Considering productivity and the like, the draft rate is more preferably set in the range of 35 to 70. Then, the fiber structure 10 taken up by the take-up roller 8 is taken up in a roll by the take-up device 9, and the whole process is completed.

By mixing the foamable substance B in the thus melted thermoplastic polymer P and utilizing the bursting of the bubbles generated thereby, a large number of splits are formed in the molded resin thin film. The fibrous structure 10 is formed by further adding the functional substance A to this, and the formed fibrous structure 10 is one embodiment of the fibrous structure of the present invention.

Next, a nonwoven fabric structure using the fiber structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the nonwoven fabric structure of the present invention. Reference numeral 20 in FIG.
The non-woven fabric structure of the present invention is shown in (1), and it is premised that the non-woven fabric structure of the present invention represented by the fibrous structure 10 is used. That is, taking the fibrous structure 10 continuously formed in a cylindrical shape by the above-described manufacturing method as an example, as an example, the fibrous structure 10 is thrown into the air in the state of long fibers, floated in the air, and then settles down. In addition, the fibrous structure 10 is blown with an air flow so that the fibers are confused, that is, the fibers are entangled with each other, and after waiting for the fibers to completely settle, they are pressed to form a sheet, or instead of the air flow, It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a mechanical entanglement means such as a needle punch is applied to. It is also possible to first cut the fibrous structure 10 into a short fiber shape, then beat it, and further form a paper by using this as a raw material to form a sheet shape. Therefore, the non-woven fabric structure 20 generally has a sheet shape, and is greatly utilized in applications different from the general applications of the fiber structure of the present invention such as clothing, for example, as a packaging material or a substitute for paper. Can be expected.

Finally, a nonwoven fabric laminated structure using the fiber structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the example of FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to the case of the example of FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the nonwoven fabric laminated structure of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 30 is a nonwoven fabric laminated structure, and it is premised that the fiber structure of the present invention is used like the nonwoven fabric structure 20.
However, in the present invention, in addition to such a fibrous structure, a separate fibrous structure containing no functional substance A is also used. The non-woven fabric structure is manufactured in the same manner as described above. In order to distinguish from the above-mentioned nonwoven fabric structure 20 of the present invention, reference numeral 21 is used for a separate nonwoven fabric structure that does not contain the functional substance A, thereby distinguishing between them.

Further, these two types of non-woven fabric structures 20, 2
At least one of the two contains a low melting point thermoplastic polymer, and these two types of non-woven fabric structures 20,
By alternately stacking 21 and thermocompression bonding,
Nonwoven fabric laminated structure 3 by integrally joining these
0 is configured. Two types of non-woven fabric structures 20,
One of the 21 is made to contain a thermoplastic polymer having a low melting point, because the air permeability is impaired if a separate adhesive is used, so that the joining by heat welding can be performed without using such an adhesive. It is to make it possible. The nonwoven fabric structures 20 and 21 may be laminated one by one, or a plurality of nonwoven fabric structures 20 and 21 may be laminated alternately one by one. In addition, a plurality of non-woven fabric structures 20 having different functional substances A
To form a non-woven fabric laminated structure by laminating these or by laminating a plurality of these non-woven fabric structures 20 and a non-woven fabric structure 21 not containing the functional substance A and joining them. It is also possible to do so. Specifically, a non-woven fabric structure 20 to which a phosphorescent pigment is added
A non-woven fabric laminated structure or the like configured by laminating a non-woven fabric structure 20 to which an optical semiconductor is added and a non-woven fabric structure 21 not containing the functional substance A, and joining them is one embodiment. It is exemplified as a form. Incidentally, as a joining means for these layers, a mechanical joining means such as a needle punch or a joining means by the above-mentioned thermocompression bonding can be adopted as an example.

[0053]

Example 1 A raw material of a thermoplastic polymer mixture consisting of 90% by weight of polypropylene (PP) and 10% by weight of nylon (NY) was used according to the conditions of FIGS. 1 and 2 above, and 0.5 g of TiO ₂ was added to this material. Add at a rate of 30 seconds, Ti
The total amount of O ₂ was 5% by weight. Nitrogen gas was used as the foaming substance B, and the fibrous structure 10 was prepared with the discharge amount of the resin thin film extruded from the outlet of the die 6 being 94 g / min. Further, a fibrous structure 10 in which 5% by weight of “N night light” manufactured by Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd. was added in place of TiO ₂ and a non-woven fabric structure 20 using the same were prepared.

[0054]

[Embodiment 2] Next, under the same conditions as in Embodiment 1, 147c.
A TiO ₂ -added fiber structure 10 having a width of m × 40 m was prepared, and this was used to fabricate a basis weight 20 by the above-mentioned method.
Three non-woven fabric structures 20 having g / m ² were prepared. Further, using 100% by weight of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a thermoplastic polymer material to which no functional substance is added, two similar non-woven fabric structures 21 are prepared, these are alternately laminated, and these are laminated by a needle punch method. After joining, finally 61% by weight of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), 33% by weight of polypropylene (PP), nylon (N
Y) A five-layer nonwoven fabric laminated structure 30 having a component ratio of 4% by weight and ₂ % by weight of TiO ₂ was prepared.

[0055]

The fiber structure of the present invention and the method for producing the same,
The non-woven fabric structure using the same and the non-woven fabric laminated structure using the same are constituted by having the invention specifying matters described above, and by having such invention specifying matters, The effect is demonstrated. That is, by using the fiber structure of the present invention that is formed by the so-called burst fiber method, the fiber breakage, clogging of the spinneret, and the large diameter of the fiber, which are problems when forming by the conventional spinning and drawing method by the spinneret, It does not occur. In addition, the addition of a functional substance adds a separate function to the fibrous structure of the present invention, and has a wide range of applications.
Furthermore, in addition to contributing to fiber miniaturization by cooling immediately after the die exit and setting the ideal draft ratio, the adoption of a cylindrical extrusion slit makes it possible to obtain a wide fiber structure, and functional materials It is widely distributed on the surface of the fiber structure, and its functionality is remarkably exhibited. Furthermore, when a non-woven fabric structure and a non-woven fabric laminated structure are produced using such a fiber structure of the present invention, mechanical strength, heat resistance, etc. are improved, and it can also contribute to expansion of applications. Of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing an extrusion molding machine for carrying out a manufacturing method of the present invention in a skeletal manner.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing the periphery of the die in the same manner as above and a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in the same figure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a nonwoven fabric structure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a nonwoven fabric laminated structure of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Extrusion Molding Machine 2 Hopper 3 Transfer Feeder 4 Extruder 4a Screw 4b Cylinder 4c Vent Port 5 Pressurizing Device 6 Die 6a Mandrel 6b Lip 6c Extrusion Slit 7 Supply Pipeline 7a Cooling Nozzle 8 Take-up Roller 9 Winding Device 10 Fiber Structure 20 Non-woven fabric structure (containing functional substance) 21 Non-woven fabric structure (not containing functional substance) 30 Non-woven laminated structure A Functional substance B Foaming substance G Compressed air P Thermoplastic polymer

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A fibrous structure formed by mixing a foamable substance into a molten thermoplastic polymer, and utilizing the bursting of bubbles generated thereby to form a large number of splits in a molded resin thin film. In the fiber structure, a functional substance is added to the fiber structure. 2. The fiber according to claim 1, wherein the functional substance includes any one of a phosphorescent pigment, an optical semiconductor, a multipurpose deodorant granule, and tourmaline, or a combination of a plurality thereof. Structure. 3. The fiber structure according to claim 2, wherein the phosphorescent pigment contains strontium aluminate or a composition containing this as a main component. 4. The fiber structure according to claim ₂ , wherein TiO ₂ is contained as the optical semiconductor. 5. The multipurpose multi-purpose deodorant is a single particle having a multi-layered structure, one layer of which contains a deodorant component,
5. The fibrous structure according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the other layer contains a granular substance containing an aromatic agent, an insect repellent, an insect attractant, an insect repellant, or another deodorizing component having a different action target. . 6. The fiber structure according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the fiber structure is formed by forming a large number of splits in a resin thin film formed in a cylindrical shape. body. 7. A functional substance is added to a raw material of a thermoplastic polymer, which is heated to a molten state and is transferred while being kneaded, and a foamable substance is further mixed into the raw material, and then in a die. 0.2 formed in the die
Through a cylindrical extrusion slit of ~ 1.0 mm width,
The resin thin film formed into a cylindrical shape is extruded from the die outlet at the tip of the die, and the resin thin film is taken out under the setting condition that the draft ratio is 30 to 120 while radially blowing compressed air from directly below the center of the die outlet. A method for producing a fiber structure, characterized in that 8. When the functional substance is added to the raw material of the thermoplastic polymer, the functional substance is embedded or fixed to the porous fine powder by mechanical impact means and then added. The method for producing a fiber structure according to claim 7, wherein. 9. A fibrous structure formed by mixing a foamable substance into a molten thermoplastic polymer and utilizing the bursting of bubbles generated thereby to form a large number of splits in a resin thin film formed. A non-woven fabric structure formed by using a fibrous structure, wherein a functional substance is added to the fibrous structure. 10. A fibrous structure formed by mixing a foamable substance into a molten thermoplastic polymer, and utilizing the bursting of bubbles generated thereby to form a large number of splits in a resin thin film formed. In the non-woven fabric structure formed by using the non-woven fabric structure, there are two types of non-woven fabric structure containing a functional substance in the non-woven fabric structure, and at least of these One is a fiber structure containing a low-melting thermoplastic polymer, and further, these two kinds of non-woven fabric structures are alternately laminated and thermo-compressed to integrally bond them. Nonwoven fabric laminated structure using.