Non-woven fabric

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a non-woven fabric that is formed from a base part that spreads out in a planar shape and from a plurality of projecting parts that protrude in a thickness direction (Th) from the base part. Each of the projecting parts has a projecting surface part. Each of the projecting surface parts is configured such that the fiber density of the projecting surface part increases toward one side in a prescribed direction that is a surface direction of the non-woven fabric.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A nonwoven fabric comprising a base portion which extends in a planar shape and a plurality of protruding portions which protrude in a thickness direction from the base portion, wherein
 each of the protruding portions has a protruding surface portion,   the each protruding surface portion is configured so that a fiber density of the each protruding surface portion is gradually distributed in a predetermined direction in a planar direction of the nonwoven fabric, and   a fiber density of the base portion surrounding the protruding portions decreases as a fiber density of the protruding portions increases.   
     
     
         10 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 9 , wherein
 in each of the protruding portions, an edge portion of the each protruding surface portion has a higher fiber density than a center portion of the each protruding surface portion.   
     
     
         11 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 9 , wherein
 when the each protruding surface portion is divided into two hemi-protruding surface portions by a virtual line which extends in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in a planar view of the nonwoven fabric, the two hemi-protruding surface portions having the same areas, a fiber density of one hemi-protruding surface portion is higher than a fiber density of the other hemi-protruding surface portion.   
     
     
         12 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the protruding portions are aligned along a first direction and along a second direction which is different from the first direction.   
     
     
         13 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 12 , wherein
 each of the protruding portions is arranged with equal intervals in the first direction and in the second direction, with the base portion disposed in between.   
     
     
         14 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the predetermined direction matches the first direction or the second direction.   
     
     
         15 . The nonwoven fabric according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the predetermined direction matches a conveyance direction when manufacturing the nonwoven fabric.