Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web, the method including the steps of providing plurality of fibers and subjecting the fibers to a pneumatic attenuation force which imparts a velocity to the fibers, reducing the velocity of the fibers in a diffusion chamber which is formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge, and thereafter collecting the fibers into a web on a moving forming surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a fiber attenuation chamber, a diffusion chamber formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, the diffusion chamber located below the fiber attenuation chamber, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web with desired fiber orientation, the method including the steps of providing a source of fibers, subjecting the fibers to an electrostatic charge, deflecting the fibers with a non-contacting deflecting device, collecting the fibers on a moving forming surface to form the nonwoven web. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming fibrous nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to the fibers, a non-contacting fiber deflecting device adapted to affect the fibers while the fibers are under the influence of the applied electrostatic charge, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a fibrous nonwoven web.