Abstract: A laminated article comprises a first web of material of a first width. A second web of material has a second width substantially equal to the first width. The second web is coextensive with the first web. The second web is laminated at a lateral portion to the first web. A permeable unlaminated portion extends transversely of the laminated lateral portion. The width of the laminated lateral portion is less than the half the first width.

Abstract: A non-woven melt-blown filament medium includes a mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a latitudinal dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through at least one layer of the mass. In one embodiment, the mass is cylindrical in shape and the layers comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the mass.

Abstract: A non-woven depth filter cartridge includes a cylindrical mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a circumferential dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and circumferential dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through one or more layers of the mass. In one embodiment, the layers of the mass comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: A non-woven melt-blown filament medium includes a mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a latitudinal dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through at least one layer of the mass. In one embodiment, the mass is cylindrical in shape and the layers comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the mass.

Abstract: A non-woven depth filter cartridge includes a cylindrical mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a circumferential dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and circumferential dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through one or more layers of the mass. In one embodiment, the layers of the mass comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: A new non-woven depth filter cartridge is formed by insertion of a core into filter mass formed in a continuous process. A mass of very fine diameter polymer filaments is overlaid by mass of larger diameter polymer filaments. The filaments are continuously accumulated on a spinning mandrel and advanced along and off of the mandrel by a press roller. An inner cylindrical surface of the cumulative filament mass forming the depth filter element is calendered, which facilitates insertion of a core member.

Abstract: A new non-woven depth filter element is formed in a continuous process whereby a mass of very fine diameter polymer filaments overlaid by mass of larger diameter polymer filaments are continuously accumulated on a spinning mandrel and advanced along and off of the mandrel by a press roller. An inner cylindrical surface of the cumulative filament mass forming the depth filter element is calendered, which facilitates insertion of a core member.