Abstract: The invention provides a thermal control combination yarn system including a first plurality of the yarns within the system including microdenier or almost microdenier hydrophobic yarns, such as, for example, polypropylene (PP) and a second plurality of the yarns including less hydrophobic ultra microfibers (UMF), wherein the first plurality of yarns is in direct contact with the second plurality of yarns. The yarn system can include from 97% yarns made of a microdenier or almost microdenier hydrophobic material and 3% yarns made of a less hydrophobic ultra microfibers (UMF) material to 97% yarns made of the less hydrophobic ultra microfibers material and 3% yarns made of a microdenier or almost microdenier hydrophobic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a 3D item (1) by means of 3D printing. The method comprises the step of depositing, during a printing stage, 3D printable material (201) to provide 3D printed material (202), wherein the 3D printable material (201) comprises a core-shell filament (320) comprising (i) a core (321) comprising a core material (1321) having one or more of a core glass temperature Tg1 and a core melting temperature Tm1 and (ii) a shell (322) comprising a shell material (1322) having one or more of a shell glass temperature Tg2 and a shell melting temperature Tm2, wherein one or more of the shell glass temperature Tg2 and the shell melting temperature Tm2 is lower than one or more of the core glass temperature Tg1 and the core melting temperature Tm1.

Abstract: The disclosure features pharmaceutical compositions formed from prodrug dimers for the extended delivery of a drug and for the treatment of a disease or condition.

Abstract: A yarn comprising a plurality of bicomponent filaments having a first region comprising a first polymer composition and a second region comprising a second polymer composition, each of the first and second regions being distinct in the bicomponent filaments; each bicomponent filament comprising 5 to 60 weight percent of the first polymer composition and 95 to 40 weight percent of the second polymer composition; wherein the first polymer composition comprises aramid polymer containing 0.5 to 20 weight percent discrete homogeneously dispersed carbon particles and the second polymer composition comprises modacrylic polymer being free of discrete carbon particles; the yarn having a total content of 0.1 to 5 weight percent discrete carbon particles.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes an acupressure device configured to apply pressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal. The system further includes a therapeutic substance coupled to the acupressure device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and a method for manufacturing a thermoplastic polyurethane thread of particularly 250 denier or less with enhanced physical properties by collecting virgin type thermoplastic polyurethane resin or polyurethane scraps remaining after using the thermoplastic polyurethane resin for airbag patterns or after processing the thermoplastic polyurethane resin, mixing various additives and the different types of thermoplastic polyurethane together, compounding the resulting mixture and then coextruding the resulting thermoplastic polyurethane compound with an extruder into a thermoplastic polyurethane thread.

Abstract: A slit nozzle includes: a first head, a second head facing the first head; and a plurality of cores located between the first head and the second head, wherein the plurality of cores includes: a first core and a third core for coating a coating solution; and a second core located between the first core and the third core so that coating of the coating solution via the first core and the third core is achieved at different instants of time.

Abstract: A consumable filament for use in an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, where the consumable filament comprises a core portion of a first thermoplastic material, and a shell portion of a second thermoplastic material that is compositionally different from the first thermoplastic material, where the consumable filament is configured to be melted and extruded to form roads of a plurality of solidified layers of a three-dimensional object, and where the roads at least partially retain cross-sectional profiles corresponding to the core portion and the shell portion of the consumable filament.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes an upstream block, an upstream shim, an intermediate shim, a downstream shim and a downstream block arranged in this order in a machine direction MD from the upstream side to the downstream side. A lower end of the nozzle is formed with grooves as guide grooves to support elastics. A first pipe, a dispersion slit for a web and convergence slits for a web define first flow channels wherein the slits are respectively formed with outlets for a web. A second pipe, a dispersion slit for elastics and convergence slits for elastics define a second flow channels wherein the slits are respectively formed with outlets for elastics. The outlets for elastics are formed in the respective guide grooves and each of the outlets for a web lies between each pair of the adjacent outlets for elastics as viewed in the cross direction CD.

Abstract: Devices and methods for high-throughput manufacture of concentrically layered nanoscale and microscale fibers by electrospinning are disclosed. The devices include a hollow tube having a lengthwise slit through which a core material can flow, and can be configured to permit introduction of sheath material at multiple sites of Taylor cone formation formation.

Abstract: A plastic pencil comprising a writing core, an interlayer coating material placed about the writing core, a porous casing enclosing the interlayer coating material on the writing core and a covering applied to the exterior surface of the porous casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal coated nano-fibres obtained by a process that includes electrospinning and to the use of said metal coated nano-fibres. The process is characterised in that a polymer nano-fibre with functional groups providing the binding ability to a reducing reagent is prepared by electrospinning at ambient conditions. Then this is contacted with a reducing agent, thereby opening the epoxy ring on the surface of polymer nano-fibre and replacing with the reducing agent and the reducing agent modified film is reacted with metal solution in alkaline media. Finally the electrospun mat is treated with water to open the epoxy rings in the structure and crosslinking the chains to provide integrity.

Abstract: An artificial turf is disclosed having a base and a plurality of synthetic fibers attached to and extending upward from the base, the fibers comprising a chlorin-based organic colorant and the colorant reflects infrared radiation in the range of 700 to 1,100 nm.

Abstract: Devices and methods for high-throughput manufacture of concentrically layered nanoscale and microscale fibers by electrospinning are disclosed. The devices include a hollow tube having a lengthwise slit through which a core material can flow, and can be configured to permit introduction of sheath material at multiple sites of Taylor cone formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent fibers that enable the nonwoven web to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent fibers will comprise a first component comprising a polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate of from about 100 to about 2000 grams per 10 minutes and a second component comprising a polymer composition having a melt flow rate lower than the melt flow rate of the first component. The first component comprises at least about 10% of a surface of the multicomponent fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicomponent fiber for three-dimensional reinforcement of a cement product characterized in that it represents a coaxial core-coat fiber wherein the core comprises a thermoplastic polymer and the coat either comprises thermoplastic polymer resistant to environment having pH>11 and one or more hydrophilic and/or surface active substance(s) in an amount of 3 to 30% of the total weight of the coat, or the coat comprises thermoplastic polymer resistant to environment having pH>11 grafted with active or unsaturated monomers of one or different kinds constituting 3 to 25% of total weight of the coat, wherein the surface tension of the coat is at least 45 mN/m. The invention also provides a method for production of said fiber, a cement product comprising such fiber and a method of production of said cement product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bicomponent polymer fibers, and to processes for forming those fibers. Bicomponent polymer fibers are described, having a core comprising a core polymer and a sheath comprising a sheath polymer, wherein the sheath polymer is a polyolefin having an Mw less than about 65,000 g/mol. The core polymer has an Mw at least about 20,000 g/mol greater than the Mw of the sheath polymer. Processes for forming bicomponent fibers are also described, comprising (i) forming a molten blend of a core polymer and a sheath polymer; (ii) extruding the molten polymer blend using an extrusion die having a length to diameter ratio greater than or equal to about 10 and under shear conditions sufficient to drive the sheath polymer to the die wall; and (iii) forming meltblown fibers having a core comprising the core polymer and a sheath comprising the sheath polymer.

Abstract: According to the invention, an apparatus is provided for extruding a medical instrument which can be inserted into a human or animal body. The apparatus comprises a device for supplying rod-shaped bodies, an extrusion device comprising a housing, said housing having a surrounding side wall which, at the frontward end as seen in the manufacturing direction, is provided with a nozzle wall comprising a discharge nozzle and, at the rearward end as seen in the manufacturing direction, is provided with a spindle sleeve. The space in the housing between the spindle sleeve, the side wall and the discharge nozzle delimits an extrusion space and the housing is provided with a polymer supply device in the area of the extrusion space.

Abstract: A polymer fiber is formed by hydrodynamic spinning. Fluids are forced to flow through a conduit to form a laminar flow comprising three or more layers of generally coaxial fluid flows, at respective flow rates selected to define a cross-section of a tubular middle layer of the fluid flows. The middle layer comprises a cross-linkable polymer precursor. Another layer of the fluid flows comprise a cross-linking agent. The polymer precursor, cross-linking agent and fluids are selected to prevent substantial diffusion of the polymer precursor away from the middle layer, and to allow a portion of the cross-linking agent to diffuse from the another layer into the middle layer to facilitate cross-linking of the polymer precursor in the middle layer to form a tubular polymer layer in a polymer fiber. The polymer layer thus has a cross-section generally corresponding to the cross-section of the middle layer.

Abstract: A bi-component process which produces an extrusion splitable in the cross machine direction.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus for extruding multiple streams of extrusion material as extruded end-products and in the coating of substrates. A flow joiner in an extrusion head combines multiple metered streams such as from a gear pump, into a uniform extrusion flow.

Abstract: Netting (1101) comprising an array of polymeric strands (1102,1104), wherein the polymeric strands are periodically joined together at bond regions throughout the array, and wherein at least a plurality (i.e., at least two) of the polymeric strands have a core (1114) of a first polymeric material and a sheath (1103) of a second, different polymeric material. Nettings described herein have a variety of uses, including wound care, tapes, filtration, absorbent articles, pest control articles, geotextile applications, water/vapor management in clothing, reinforcement for nonwoven articles, self bulking articles, floor coverings, grip supports, athletic articles, and pattern coated adhesives.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fabricating food items include extruding a first hot plastic food mass through multiple passages and co-extruding a second hot plastic food mass through a feed stem received in each of the multiple passages and through nozzles. Each nozzle includes a first portion in communication with the feed stem but not the passage and a second portion in communication with the passage but not the feed stem. The nozzles are rotatable in gearing relation with the drive gear of a servomotor. The co-extruded ropes are conveyed at a linear speed rate less than or equal to the discharge speed from the nozzles, cooled, and cut into individual pieces in the form of peelably separable strands.

Abstract: Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions are disclosed having a flame retardant package comprising an organo-phosphinate component, an organo-phosphate component, and a polyhydric alcohol. The flame retardant components may be present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the phosphinate compound; from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the phosphate compound, and from about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the polyhydric alcohol, based on the total weight of the TPU composition. Processes are disclosed to make the TPU compositions and to make wire and cable constructions employing the TPU compositions as the jacket of the wire and cable constructions. The TPU compositions exhibit excellent flame retardant capabilities as measured by Limited Oxygen Index testing and/or UL 94 Vertical Burn tests.

Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib

Abstract: A biodegradable, substantially continuous filament is provided. The filament contains a first component formed from at least one high melting polyester and a second component formed from at least one low melting polyester. The low melting point polyester is an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed by melt blending a polymer and an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in the formation of substantially continuous filaments.

Abstract: Method for making plastic fiber for application in concrete with largest grain diameters >4 mm, with an average diameter of 0.15 to 2 mm, corresponding to approximately 160 to 28,000 dtex. Using a co-extrusion process, a bi-component fiber is formed having a central core and a casing around the central core, the central core and the casing contain different pure polymers or polymer mixtures, and then the co-extruded bi-component fiber is stretched by a factor of 5 to 15, and thereafter a structured or grooved surface is embossed onto the co-extruded stretched bi-component fiber. The embossing is performed such that a depth of the embossing is more than 10% of an average fiber diameter, and a maximal distances of structure tips within incorporated structures of the embossing in an axial direction lie in a region between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for ink jet printhead nozzle plate and related printing apparatus, wherein the ink jet printhead nozzle plate can include a coaxially electrospun layer to provide a low adhesion oleophobic textile surface exhibiting a low sliding angle and a high contact angle with ultra-violet gel ink and/or solid ink.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber and method of making a fiber. The fiber has an inner-volume portion having a first outer diameter, a plurality of nanostructures, and one or more first polymers. The nanostructures act as an orientation template for orientation of the one or more first polymers in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fiber. The fiber has an outer-volume portion having a second outer diameter and one or more second polymers. The outer-volume portion is in contact with and completely encompasses the inner-volume portion. The inner-volume portion has at least one of a tensile modulus and a strength that are higher than at least one of a tensile modulus and a strength of the outer-volume portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers for the manufacture of artificial hair with a core/sheath structure which include antibacterial and antifungal nanoparticles in the sheath structure, thus providing antibacterial and antifungal properties which can last for a considerable period of time. The sheath structure of the fibers is formed to take about 20 to about 30% of the diameter of the fibers so that the fibers can retain desirable antibacterial and antifungal effects, thereby resolving problems of truncation of the fibers due to an increase of pressure in a spinning machine during a spinning process.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for making short fiber low denier unitized composite fabrics with abrasive features includes steps of depositing an assembly comprising one or more layers of fibrous material and optionally one or more layers of non-fibrous material, at least one of the outer layers containing a multicompartment synthetic fiber, and activating at least one component of the multicomponent fiber to impart an abrasive attribute to the outer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.

Abstract: Conjugate fibers are prepared in which at least one segment is a mixture of a high-D PLA resin and a high-L PLA resin. These segments have crystallites having a crystalline melting temperature of at least 200° C. At least one other segment is a high-D PLA resin or a high-L PLA resin. The conjugate fibers may be, for example, bicomponent, multi-component, islands-in-the-sea or sheath-and-core types. Specialty fibers of various types can be made through further downstream processing of these conjugate fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.

Abstract: A process for producing a plastic rod, in particular round rods, suitable for machining is provided. The process includes extruding a plastic profile of a first plastic molding composition which forms the outermost layer of the plastic rod, and inserting a second plastic molding composition as a rod core into the profile within a calibrator downstream of the extruder. The first plastic molding composition contains at least 50% by weight of a semicrystalline thermoplastic and the first plastics moulding composition has the following properties: a) crystallite melting point Tm in accordance with ISO 11357 of at least 170° C., b) crystallization temperature Tk in accordance with ISO 11357 of at most 70 K below T. and c) enthalpy of fusion AH in accordance with ISO 11357 of at least 20 J/g.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide core-sheath nanofibers produced by coaxial electrospinning, fuser members comprising core-sheath nanofibers, and methods for forming core-sheath nanofibers that can include a core solution comprising a high performance polymer and sheath solutions comprising a solvent-soluble fluoropolymer or solvent-insoluble fluororesins and a sacrificial polymeric binder.

Abstract: A process for making a stimuli responsive liquid crystal-polymer composite fiber comprising mixing a liquid crystal, a polymer, and a solvent; processing the mixture in the presence of an electric potential across a collection distance; phase separating a polymer and said liquid crystal; and encapsulating said liquid crystal within said polymer. The fiber generally comprises a liquid crystal core and a polymer shell wherein the liquid crystal is responsive to chemical changes, thermal and mechanical effects, as well as electrical and magnetic fields. A liquid crystal containing fiber can be utilized as optical fibers, in textiles, and in optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: A multi-component fiber that includes a core component surrounded by a distinct sheath component is provided. The core component is formed primarily from polylactic acid and the sheath component is formed primarily from a polymeric toughening additive.

Abstract: An extrusion die head for the extrusion of hollow or centre-filled shapes as well as apparatus comprising the extrusion die head and methods employing the die head. The extrusion die head (10) is for the preparation of a plurality of centre-filled products (34) of varying composition wherein each product comprises a first (filling) material and a second (outer) material. The die head comprises at least one tube (22) such that a first material may be extruded through the tube or tubes and a second material may be extruded around the tube or tubes. The location and the number of the tubes may be customised to vary the location and amount of the first material relative to the second material and thereby vary the composition of the centre-filled product. The extrusion die head apparatus comprises a sleeve (40) enclosing the die head. In one embodiment a first material is conveyed from one or more first apertures (18) via one or more tubes (22) to one or more second apertures (20) where it is extruded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric for filters which is excellent in dust collection efficiency and exhibits low pressure drop and excellent mechanical characteristics and rigidity, and a method of producing the nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric for filters of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric for filters which is a long fiber nonwoven fabric, consisting of thermoplastic continuous filaments and formed by partially thermocompression bonding the thermoplastic continuous filaments, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a QF value (Pa?1) of 0.02 to 0.08 and stiffness of 2 to 80 mN.

Abstract: A fiber is produced comprising polymers of differing types which are not admixed during production. The differing polymer types are heated to the point of softening in a vertically-oriented crucible and a fiber comprising the polymers in positions corresponding to their positions in the crucible is drawn from an orifice at the lower end of the crucible.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cable, the cable including at least one transmissive element and at least one coating layer made of a polymeric material and arranged at a radially outer position with respect to the transmissive element. The method includes the steps of: a) feeding the polymeric material to an extrusion apparatus including an extrusion head, the extrusion head including a male die; a female die coaxially arranged with respect to the male die; a conveying channel, at least one portion of which is defined between the male die and the female die; and b) controlling a cross-sectional area of the at least one portion of the conveying channel in response to a detected quantity, the quantity being caused to vary during the manufacturing of the cable as a function of the actual extrusion speed. An extrusion apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer conductive fiber having a core/shell structure, wherein the core contains nanotubes, in particular carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to a method for producing said fiber by coextrusion and to the uses thereof The invention finally relates to a composite material including the aforementioned multilayer composite fibers bonded together by weaving or using a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A core/shell nanofiber non-woven containing a plurality of core/shell nanofibers where at least 70% of the nanofibers are bonded to other nanofibers. The core of the nanofiber contains a core polymer and the shell of the nanofiber contains a shell polymer. At least a portion of the core polymer interpenetrates the shell of the nanofiber and at least a portion of the shell polymer interpenetrates the core of the nanofiber. The process for forming a core/shell nanofiber non-woven is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable fiber (including fiber tow) and/or biodegradable paper substrate may be coated with cellulose acetate, plasticized cellulose acetate and/or ethylene vinyl acetate for use in a filter material configured for application in a filter of a smoking article. A filter made in accordance with this design may also include non-biodegradable material.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament comprising a high-viscosity polyester as a core component and a low-viscosity polyester as a sheath component is provided, the polyesters having been combined together in a core-sheath arrangement. The polyester monofilament has a fineness of 3.0-13.0 dtex, a breaking strength of 6.0-9.3 cN/dtex, a strength at 10% elongation of 5.0-9.0 cN/dtex, a difference in wet heat stress in the filament-length direction of 3.0 cN or less, and a residual torque value of at most 4 turns per m. Provided is a process for producing a polyester monofilament by a direct spinning/drawing method in which two ingredients, i.e., a high-viscosity polyester as a core component and a low-viscosity polyester as a sheath component, are melt-extruded from a spinnert while being combined together in a core-sheath arrangement, and cooled and solidified, and the resultant extrudate filament is continuously drawn and wound up.

Abstract: A surgical thread avoids puncture channel bleeding, and has a polymeric core and a polymeric sheath surrounding the polymeric core, wherein the polymeric sheath is swellable in bodily fluids.

Abstract: Bicomponent fibers, methods of forming bicomponent fibers and articles formed from bicomponent fibers, are described herein. The bicomponent fibers generally include a sheath component and a core component, wherein the sheath component consists essentially of a first metallocene polypropylene and the core component consists essentially of a second metallocene polypropylene.

Abstract: Polymer fibers having therein at least one infrared attenuating agent is provided. The infrared attenuating agent is at least substantially evenly distributed throughout the polymeric material forming the polymer fibers. In exemplary embodiments, the infrared attenuating agents have a thickness in at least one dimension of less than about 100 nanometers. Alternatively, the polymer fibers are bicomponent fibers formed of a core and a sheath substantially surrounding the core and the infrared attenuating agent is at least substantially evenly distributed throughout the sheath. The modified polymer fibers may be used to form insulation products that utilize less polymer material and subsequently reduce manufacturing costs. The insulation products formed with the modified polymers have improved thermal properties compared to insulation products formed of only non-modified polymer fibers. Additionally, the insulation product is compatible with bio-based binders.