Comprising Spinnerette Patents (Class 425/131.5)
  • Patent number: 11207813
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system has a plurality of manifolds in an extruder. Each manifold is connected to at least one nozzle of the extruder so the at least one nozzle extrudes thermoplastic material through a corresponding aperture in a faceplate mounted to the extruder. A plurality of valves is configured between each manifold and each nozzle connected to the manifold so the nozzles connected to a manifold extrude thermoplastic material from the manifold selectively. The faceplate is also configured for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the faceplate so different orientations of the nozzles and the apertures of the faceplate can be obtained. The different manifolds of the extruder enable a plurality of thermoplastic materials having different properties to be extruded simultaneously so the materials can join to one another while the materials are at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Mantell, Peter J. Nystrom
  • Patent number: 10828862
    Abstract: A film having first segments and second segments arranged across the film's width direction is disclosed. The first and second segments are separated from each other by polymer interfaces. The first segments include a first polymeric composition and the second segments include a second polymeric composition. At least some of the second segments are layered second segments having first and second layers in the film's thickness direction, and one of the first or second layers includes a third polymeric composition different from the second polymeric composition. An extrusion die useful for making the film and a method for making the film using the extrusion die are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hanschen, Ronald W. Ausen, William J. Kopecky
  • Patent number: 10410876
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a gas includes: a mounting part installed in a processing container and on which a substrate is mounted; a first gas flow path where a first gas is supplied from a first gas supply mechanism to an upstream portion of the first gas flow path, and a downstream portion of the first gas flow path is branched to form first branch paths; a second gas flow path where a second gas is supplied from a second gas supply mechanism to an upstream portion of the second gas flow path, and a downstream portion of the second gas flow path is branched to form second branch paths; an annular mixing chamber to which a discharge path is connected; and a gas discharge part discharging a mixture gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Jun Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20150118565
    Abstract: A novel lithium battery cathode, a lithium ion battery using the same and processes and preparation thereof are disclosed. The battery cathode is formed by force spinning. Fiber spinning allows for the formation of core-shell materials using material chemistries that would be incompatible with prior spinning techniques. A fiber spinning apparatus for forming a coated fiber and a method of forming a coated fiber are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Nelson S. Bell, Nancy A. Missert, Karen Lozano, Yatinkumar N. Rane
  • Publication number: 20140335148
    Abstract: An ultrafine fiber comprises a ceramic-based fibrous body and a biologically active substance encapsulated in the body, substantially encapsulated in the body, or surface-attached to the body. In an example, an ultrafine fiber comprises a core comprising a biologically active substance and a ceramic-based shell surrounding or substantially surrounding the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ho-Wang Tong, Lawrence P. Wackett, Alptekin Aksan
  • Publication number: 20140096784
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a polycomponent fibre having a first, fibre forming component comprising a polymer, and a second, component comprising an active ingredient that will selectively reduce or remove components of tobacco smoke. The apparatus has a first reservoir for containing the first component, and a second reservoir for containing the dispersion, second solution or liquid. The dispersion, second solution or liquid includes the second component. The apparatus also has a polycomponent spinnerette adapted to coextrude the first component and the second component to form the polycomponent fibre. The apparatus also includes a first conduit for connecting the first reservoir to the spinnerette, and a second conduit for connecting the second reservoir to the spinnerette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Celanese Acetate Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Banks, Craig Day, John Travers
  • Patent number: 8512024
    Abstract: Multiple extrusion drive motors are nested in an overlapping configuration that permits re-use of the drive axes to support drive gears and complementary guide bearings, resulting in a compact arrangement of independently controllable extruders for multiple build materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Pax
  • Publication number: 20130200544
    Abstract: A multiple fiber spinning apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The apparatus includes an extruding unit, a spin block unit and a spinning nozzle unit. The extruding unit includes extruders that melt, extrude and transfer polymer materials. The spin block unit includes a gear pump unit which has gear pumps connected to each of the extruders. The gear pumps receive the polymer materials from the corresponding extruders and discharge the polymer materials. The spin block unit further includes a flow passage unit which has flow passages connected to the respective gear pumps. The spinning nozzle unit includes spinning nozzles, each of which is connected to one of the gear pumps of each extruder by the corresponding flow passage, so that each spinning nozzle receives the molten polymer materials and spins the polymer materials into a fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Wan-Gyu Hahm, Sung Won Byun, Dae Young Lim, Min Sun Kim, Byeong Jin Yeang
  • Patent number: 8490283
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow fiber spinning nozzle in which supply bores and a nozzle structure connected to these and having a mass discharge opening and a needle with a coagulation agent bore are formed in a base body. At least two plate-shaped bodies structured by means of micro-structure technology are joined together to form the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Keller, Jens-Holger Stahl
  • Patent number: 8361365
    Abstract: A process for electroblowing a multiple layered sheet using multiple spinning beams to produce different component webs wherein the sheet doesn't stick to the forming screen and has improved web stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph Brian Hovanec, Michael John Moore, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20130011676
    Abstract: A multi-component fiber includes a first component made of a first fiber raw material and a second component made of a second fiber raw material. The first and second components are combined by rotational spinning so as to firm a fiber body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Wiebke Schmitz, Dirk Grafahrend, Denis Reibel
  • Patent number: 8177539
    Abstract: A device for melt spinning multi-component fibers including at least two melt inlets for introducing separately guided melt components is presented. The device includes a feed plate having a plurality of feed channels for distributing the melt components, a distributor block associated with the feed plate, and a nozzle plate adjoining the distributor block and including a plurality of nozzle bores, wherein the distributor block has several thin distributor plates stacked on top of each other and each have a hole pattern with multiple distribution openings. The thin distributor plates are configured inside the distributor block such that a plurality of melt channels form, which connect the feed channels of the feed plate to the nozzle bores of the nozzle plate. In order to implement high flow volumes, multiple distributor plates having identical hole patterns of the distribution openings are stacked in a tightly sealing manner inside the distributor block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mathias Groner-Rothermel, Volker Birkholz
  • Patent number: 7988439
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle block for electrospinning which is able to simultaneously electrically spin two or more different types of polymer spinning dopes, wherein a single-layer distribution plate for dividing a planar space within the nozzle block into two or more segments is installed within the nozzle block. The apparatus is simple because a single-layer distribution plate is installed instead of a conventional multi layer distribution plate. A hybrid nano fiber laminate can be prepared without any additional laminating procedure because two or more different polymer spinning dopes can be simultaneously electrically spun through different nozzles arranged within the same nozzle block. It is possible to prepare a hybrid nano fiber nonwoven fabric or filaments or the like composed of two or more types of nano fibers different in thermal properties or physical properties because their fiber diameter or polymer type are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Cooperation Foundation Chonbuk National University
    Inventor: Hak-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7951315
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fiber for artificial hair. The PVC fiber is manufactured by melt spinning a PVC resin composition with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle hole having a diameter D and a land length L, and a nozzle leading portion having a cone angle, and wherein a ratio of L/D is 1-3, a height of the nozzle leading portion is at least 4 mm, and the cone angle is 20°-90°. The resulting PVC fiber has an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.18-0.38 ?m and a maximum height of 0.5-3.5 ?m along a longitudinal direction, specified by JIS B 0601.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sakurai, Akira Moroi
  • Publication number: 20110059196
    Abstract: A device for melt spinning multi-component fibers including at least two melt inlets for introducing separately guided melt components is presented. The device includes a feed plate having a plurality of feed channels for distributing the melt components, a distributor block associated with the feed plate, and a nozzle plate adjoining the distributor block and including a plurality of nozzle bores, wherein the distributor block has several thin distributor plates stacked on top of each other and each have a hole pattern with multiple distribution openings. The thin distributor plates are configured inside the distributor block such that a plurality of melt channels form, which connect the feed channels of the feed plate to the nozzle bores of the nozzle plate. In order to implement high flow volumes, multiple distributor plates having identical hole patterns of the distribution openings are stacked in a tightly sealing manner inside the distributor block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: OERLIKON TEXTILE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Mathias GRONER-ROTHERMEL, Volker BIRKHOLZ
  • Patent number: 7740777
    Abstract: A spunbond system for manufacturing a non-woven web of fibers includes a spin beam assembly configured to process and deliver a plurality of polymer streams for extrusion through spinneret orifices. The spin beam assembly includes a plurality of manifold sections within the spin beam assembly, each manifold section including a distribution pipe configured to transfer a respective polymer component to a plurality of piping sections extending within the manifold section and a heat transfer medium that flows within the manifold section and around the piping sections extending into the manifold section so as to maintain the respective polymer component at a selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Hills, Inc., Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Arnold Wilkie, Hermann Balk
  • Patent number: 7722347
    Abstract: Apparatus (100, 101, 102) and die cartridge assembly (18, 44, 45, 47) adapted for use with same for producing fibrous material (212). The apparatus (100) comprises a removably attachable die cartridge assembly (18) that adapts to conventional spunmelt equipment. The die cartridge assembly (18) is removably positionable beneath an extrusion body (10) for effecting formation of fibrous material by fibrillation of polymer films. The cartridge assembly (18) includes at least one polymer passage (19) communicating with a molten polymer source (10) for directing molten polymer onto at least one film forming surface (20, 28) defined by the cartridge assembly (18), and also defines at least one gas passage (222, 22, 30) communicating with a gas source (16) for directing pressurized gas (220) against the molten polymer (210) in the form of a film for effecting formation of the fibrous material (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Krause, Michael H. Johnson, Richard Ferencz
  • Publication number: 20100078848
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spinneret and a method of spinning. The spinneret includes a first pore configured for extruding a first component of a multi-component fiber, a second pore configured for extruding a second component of the multi-component fiber, and a thermal insulator positioned between the first pore and the second pore and configured for preventing heat from the first component from damaging the second component. The first component and the second component have incompatible thermal resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicants: ARMARK AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, HILLS INC.
    Inventors: Peter D. GABRIELE, Jeffrey H. ROBERTSON, Jeffrey S. HAGGARD
  • Patent number: 7637730
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a spinneret plate (1) for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric, having multiple non-round holes, which are similar to trilobal or multiarmed holes (3) in particular, for polymer flow outlet to produce filaments, in which identical holes are positioned in rows offset relative to one another. At least a first row (2) has a positional arrangement of the holes that differs from the positional arrangement of a second row (7) of rows through rotation of the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fiberweb Corovin GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Herda
  • Publication number: 20090295028
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a plurality of multi-layered filaments from multiple thermoplastic synthetic polymers and an apparatus containing a melt spinning beam which comprises multiple polymer inlet passages each communicating with separate multiple coat hanger distribution manifolds, separate filters connected downstream of each coat hanger distribution manifold, a combining manifold connected downstream of the filters and containing channels to retard polymer flow across planar molten polymer flow streams and a spinneret comprising a plurality of spinneret exit orifices connected downstream of the combining manifold for spinning of the multi-layered filaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Edgar N. Rudisill, Michael C. Davis, Vishal Bansal, Gary Lee Sturgill
  • Publication number: 20090208372
    Abstract: A sheath flow system having a channel with at least one fluid transporting structure located in the top and bottom surfaces situated so as to transport the sheath fluid laterally across the channel to provide sheath fluid fully surrounding the core solution. At the point of introduction into the channel, the sheath fluid and core solutions flow side by side within the channel or the core solution may be bounded on either side by the sheath fluid. The system is functional over a broad channel size range and with liquids of high or low viscosity. The design can be readily incorporated into microfluidic chips without the need for special manufacturing protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: The Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David Mott, Peter B. Howell, JR., Frances S. Ligler, Stephanie Fertig, Aron Bobrowski
  • Publication number: 20090149102
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide splittable fibers (6) which on the one hand are very stable during spinning, i.e., do not dissociate during the entire spinning process and the drawing, and on the other hand after spinning and drawing may be dissociated, essentially completely or even up to 100 percent, into segments (10, 12) or individual filaments. A further object is to keep the technical complexity and energy consumption particularly low. For this purpose, the splittable fibers (6), having at least one break point (8), comprise at least two mutually incompatible polymer components (A, B). At least one polymer component (A) has a lower weight proportion than the other polymer component(s) (B), and the polymer component(s) (A) having the lower weight proportion is situated on and/or in the at least one break point (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Engelbert LOCHER, Norbert GOFFING, Klaus KLEIN, Ararad EMIRZE
  • Publication number: 20090039564
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making nanofiber webs, wherein a source of process air is utilized to affect the spray pattern and quality of fibrillated material expressed from a die assembly including a multi-fluid opening. Appropriately, the aforementioned process air is defined herein as an alternate or ancillary air source apart from primary process air, which primary air is simultaneously supplied with the molten polymeric material to the fiber forming multi-fluid opening. The ancillary air source of the invention is further distinct from secondary air, which is also known in the art as quenching air. The ancillary air can be described as a continuous fluid curtain of shielding or shaping air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: POLYMER GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Tim Krause, Rick Ferencz, Rajeev Chhabra, Olaf Isele, Han Xu
  • Publication number: 20080268082
    Abstract: A hollow fiber spinning nozzle in which supply bores and a nozzle structure connected to these and having a mass discharge opening and a needle with a coagulation agent bore are formed in a base body. At least two plate-shaped bodies structured by means of micro-structure technology are joined together to form the base body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Torsten Keller, Jens-Holger Stahl
  • Publication number: 20080242171
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming nanofibers from a spinning melt utilizing a high speed rotating distribution disc. The fibers can be collected into a uniform web for selective barrier end uses. Fibers with an average fiber diameter of less that 1,000 nm can be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Tao Huang, Larry R. Marshall, Jack Eugene Armantrout, Scott Yembrick, willliam H. Dunn, James M. Oconnor, Tim Mueller, Marios Avgousti, Mark David Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20080241297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrospinning apparatus for mass-production of nanofibers, particularly to an electrospinning apparatus with an electric stability and an improved nozzle blocks. The bottom-up electrospinning apparatus for the mass-production of nanofiber comprises at least one nozzle block having a plurality of spinning nozzles arranged in the horizontal and vertical direction; a collector installed over the nozzle blocks in order to correspond to the nozzle blocks and maintain a certain distance in between; a power source to apply voltage difference between the nozzle block and the collector; and a spinning solution container to supply the spinning solution to the nozzle block, wherein the nozzle block and the collector are connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively and among a plurality of spinning nozzles arranged along the horizontal line, a spinning nozzle in the middle and a spinning nozzle in the end have different height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Jong-Chul Park
  • Patent number: 7393195
    Abstract: A hollow fiber spinning nozzle in which supply bores and a nozzle structure connected to these and having a mass discharge opening and a needle with a coagulation agent bore are formed in a base body. At least two plate-shaped bodies structured by means of micro-structure technology are joined together to form the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Keller, Jens-Holger Stahl
  • Publication number: 20080095875
    Abstract: The invention provides spinnerets for making yarns made of filaments of different average diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Serge Rebouillat, Stephen Donald Moore
  • Patent number: 7291003
    Abstract: A micromachined spinneret is disclosed which has one or more orifices through which a fiber-forming material can be extruded to form a fiber. Each orifice is surrounded by a concentric annular orifice which allows the fiber to be temporarily or permanently coated with a co-extrudable material. The micromachined spinneret can be formed by a combination of surface and bulk micromachining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Paul Galambos
  • Patent number: 7270531
    Abstract: An assembly for use in continuously forming a plurality of lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers. The assembly includes a breaker plate having a conically shaped inner portion and a planar outer portion. A plurality of extrusion dies are disposed in the outer portion wherein each die defines a die hold configuration at its lower end for the extrusion of one or more monofilament polymer strands therethrough, and a drive assembly is provided for rotating each of the dies at a predetermined speed such that upon directing a flow of molten monofilament polymer material onto the breaker plate, the material is directed from the inclined central portion onto the planar outer portion where it is extruded through the rotating dies to create a plurality of twisted strands of polymer material that upon cooling, stretching and heating, define lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Proulx Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Proulx, William P. Conley, Rodger D. Thomason
  • Patent number: 7210914
    Abstract: An arrangement for forming a web of fibrous media wherein at least one formed layered portion is attenuated from a first die source selectively unto a first collector and successively combining such portion with at least another formed layered portion which is attenuated from a second die source selectively unto a second collector, at least one of the outer surfaces of the web of fibrous media being of comparatively smooth skin-like nature to minimize projecting fiber ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: AAF-McQuay Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung-Ju Choi
  • Patent number: 7192550
    Abstract: A device and method for spinning polymer fibers utilizes one or more independent sources of polymer materials, pumps for feeding polymer material from each of the sources, and a series of distribution plates with surface grooves, through holes and/or slots together defining separated distribution paths, each of which receives polymer material from one of said independent sources. The surface grooves are defined to a depth less than the thickness of the distribution plate. At least one distribution plate contains spinneret orifices defined by outlet surface grooves extending from the distribution path to the edge of that plate, whereby fibers are extruded from the spinneret orifices edgewise from the plate. The spinneret orifices may be defined by overlayed outlet surface grooves or slots defined in abutting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hills, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Berger, Jeff S. Haggard
  • Patent number: 7175407
    Abstract: A linear flow equalizer for distributing thermoplastic material to a spin pack of a meltspinning apparatus that provides for uniform apportionment of a flow of a flowable thermoplastic material at least vertically and in a cross-machine direction of the spin pack. The linear flow equalizer includes an inlet plate with multiple liquid passageways equidistantly spaced in the cross-machine direction that each provide flowable thermoplastic material to a set of equalizer plates. Elongated slots extending through alternating equalizer plates are registered with throughholes extending through adjacent plates in the equalizer plate set. Each throughhole in an upstream equalizer plate is registered with the center of a corresponding slot and each throughole in a downstream equalizer plate is registered with one of opposed closed ends of a corresponding slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aktiengesellschaft Adolph Saurer
    Inventor: Steven D. Clark
  • Patent number: 7168473
    Abstract: A web or fleece of synthetic resin strand collected on a sieve belt is discharged from the sieve belt into further processing equipment over a rerouting roller at the discharge end of the sieve belt. The rerouting roller is perforated and air or another fluid medium is passed through the belt at the rerouting roller to reduce adhesion forces between the belt and the web and lift the web from the belt without damage to the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Geus, Detlef Frey
  • Patent number: 7168932
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing nonwoven fibrous webs. The apparatus comprises an extrusion die, first and second fluid supplies in cooperation with the die, first and second extrusion capillaries, first counterbores allowing fluid communication between first capillaries and first supply and second counterbores allowing fluid communication between second capillaries and second supply, each first counterbore having at least two first capillaries extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Lassig, Michael C. Cook, Bryan David Haynes, Vicky Susan Smith
  • Patent number: 7160091
    Abstract: Device for the production of multicomponent fibers or of filaments, in particular bicomponent fibers, whereby a nozzle block assembly is provided. The assembly consists of a middle nozzle block and two outer nozzle blocks. Arranged in the nozzle block assembly are at least two inflow channels, each for a melt flow of one component. At the lower end of the nozzle block assembly is a nozzle with apertures for the outlet of the multicomponent strands. At least one inflow channel runs over at least a part of its length exclusively through an outer nozzle block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Michael Baumeister
  • Patent number: 7150616
    Abstract: A die tip adapted for extruding a plurality of meltblown multicomponent filaments that includes at least two series of conduits that extend and converge in to the interior of the die tip to convey a multicomponent thermoplastic structure in to the interior of the die tip to a series of capillaries that extend to a series of die opening for extruding multicomponent filaments is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc
    Inventors: Bryan D. Haynes, Michael Charles Cook
  • Patent number: 7033154
    Abstract: A lamellar die apparatus for extruding a heated liquid into single or multiple component filaments. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates each having opposite side faces. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a liquid passage positioned therebetween for transferring the heated liquid. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a heating element passage therebetween. A heating element is positioned within the heating element passage for heating at least two of the plates. An extrusion die is coupled with the plurality of plates and communicates with the liquid passage for discharging the heated liquid as multiple filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, William Todd Simms, Matthew Duane Thompson
  • Patent number: 7033153
    Abstract: A lamellar die apparatus for extruding a heated liquid into filaments and directing air at the filaments. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates each having opposite side faces. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a liquid passage positioned therebetween for transferring the heated liquid. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have an air passage positioned therebetween for transferring the air. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a heating element passage therebetween. A heating element is positioned within the heating element passage for heating at least two of the plates. An extrusion die is coupled with the plurality of plates and communicates with the liquid passage and the air passage for discharging the heated liquid as multiple filaments and for discharging the air at the filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, William Todd Simms, Matthew Duane Thompson
  • Patent number: 7014442
    Abstract: The present invention provides a series of plates for distributing a molten polymer composition, the series of plates includes at least two plates: a first plate that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of polymer distribution channels connecting the upper surface and the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan David Haynes, Michael Charles Cook, Kurtis Lee Brown, Chad Michael Freese, Brian Stephen Forbes, Robert James Gerndt
  • Patent number: 7008207
    Abstract: An extrusion die for meltblowing molten polymers having a row of die orifices each having at least two separate polymer supply ports entering from an entrance portion of the die, each of the polymer supply ports communicating with separate rows of extrusion capillaries having exit openings at an exit portion of the die, gas supply ports entering from the entrance portion of the die and arranged laterally to the polymer supply ports, the gas supply ports communicating with gas jets extending through the die and arranged laterally to the exit openings of the extrusion capillaries, wherein the rows of extrusion capillary exit openings and the gas jets communicate with a blowing orifice in the exit portion of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: E. I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Vishal Bansal, Michael C. Davis, Edgar N. Rudisill
  • Patent number: 6932591
    Abstract: The present invention is the apparatus and method for producing a plastic sheet having a pattern produced in a layer therein. The plastic sheet is a single layer sheet or a multi-layer sheet. The pattern is produced by mixing two or more plastic extrudants together in a mixer. The pattern is visible in the layer containing the two or more plastic extrudants because an at least one of the plastic extrudants is at least partially transparent. The mixer used to produce the pattern includes a housing having an end configured to expel the mixture of the two or more extrudants through a plurality of outlets. The mixer further comprises a rotatable shaft and at least one projection coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, the at least one projection configured to orient the mixture of the two or more extrudants relative to the plurality of outlets in the housing. The mixer further comprising a thrust bearing configured to couple an end of the shaft to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Primex Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Cramer
  • Patent number: 6908294
    Abstract: An arrangement for producing a fibrous mat from a heated die source wherein the produced mat includes a first layered, preselected fiber portion of substantially straight fibers produced by directing such fibers directly to a collector source and a second layered preselected fiber portion of substantially curled fibers produced by diverting and exerting an external vertically creative curling force thereon before reaching the collector source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: AAF-McQuay, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung-Ju Choi
  • Patent number: 6837698
    Abstract: The invention is an extrusion device comprising an interleaving block portion. The interleaving block portion includes at least two first chambers, each first chamber including a width, a length, a height, and an input aperture. The length dimension of the first chambers are generally parallel. An output aperture is included in each first chamber, the output aperture is wider and shorter in height than the input aperture. A series of first distances are defined between the input aperture to points along the output aperture. A die portion is included in the extrusion device. The die portion has a laminate chamber having a height dimension. The height dimension of the laminate is disposed generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the first chambers. An output is disposed at one end of the height dimension. The laminate chamber is disposed so as to be in communication with the output apertures of the parallel first chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Floyd, Douglas A. Devens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6833104
    Abstract: A device and method for spinning polymer fibers utilizes one or more independent sources of polymer materials, pumps for feeding polymer material from each of the sources, and a series of distribution plates with surface grooves, through holes and/or slots together defining separated distribution paths, each of which receives polymer material from one of said independent sources. The surface grooves are defined to a depth less than the thickness of the distribution plate. At least one distribution plate contains spinneret orifices defined by outlet surface grooves extending from the distribution path to the edge of that plate, whereby fibers are extruded from the spinneret orifices edgewise from the plate. The spinneret orifices may be defined by overlayed outlet surface grooves or slots defined in abutting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Hills, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Berger
  • Patent number: 6814555
    Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus includes fiber producing features to produce multi-component filaments by extruding two or more single-component strands that combine after extrusion and are then attenuated by process air. The two or more liquid materials do not contact one another in the spinpack. Separation of the two types of liquid material throughout the spinpack prevents premature leakage between two liquid materials and allows for an optimized temperature for each type of liquid material for proper extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Martin A. Allen
  • Patent number: 6799960
    Abstract: The invention provides a spinnerette assembly for forming hollow fibers. The spinnerette assembly contains an extrusion orifice and a fiber-forming material passage in communication with the extrusion orifice. A hollow needle extends through the extrusion orifice in a concentric manner to define an annular passage surrounding the needle. The fiber-forming material passage includes a fiber-forming material inlet port extending from a surface of the spinnerette assembly to an interior of the assembly and a transverse passage extending from the fiber-forming material port to the annular passage surrounding the needle. A bore forming fluid passage communicates with the interior of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Consiel de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Samuel Earl Moore
  • Publication number: 20040157522
    Abstract: A process for forming a multiple component meltblown fiber comprising extruding a first distinct melt-processable polymer through a first extrusion orifice, simultaneously extruding a second distinct melt-processable polymer through a second extrusion orifice, fusing said first and second melt-processable polymers into an extruded composite filament after extrusion, and pneumatically attenuating said extruded composite filament with jets of high velocity gas so as to form said multiple component meltblown fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Vishal Bansal, Michael C. Davis, Edgar N. Rudisill
  • Patent number: 6746226
    Abstract: The invention provides a spinnerette assembly for forming multicomponenthollow fibers of the sheath/core type. The spinnerette assembly contains an extrusion orifice and a core forming material passage in communication with the extrusion orifice. A hollow needle extends through the extrusion orifice in a concentric manner to define an annular passage surrounding the needle. The core forming material passage includes a core forming material inlet port extending from a surface of the spinnerette assembly to an interior of the assembly and a transverse passage extending from the core forming material port to the annular passage surrounding the needle. A bore forming fluid passage communicates with the interior of the needle. The spinnerette assembly contains at least one sheath forming material passage also in communication with the extrusion orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Samuel Earl Moore
  • Patent number: 6737009
    Abstract: A system and process for producing spunbond nonwoven fabric in which two or more polymeric components are separately melted and are separately directed through a distribution plate configured so that the separate molten polymer components combine at a multiplicity of spinnerette orifices to form filaments containing the two or more polymer components. Multicomponent filaments are extruded from the spinnerette orifices into a quench chamber where quench air is directed from a first independently controllable blower and into contact with the filaments to cool and solidify the filaments. The filaments and the quench air are directed into and through a filament attenuator and the filaments are pneumatically attenuated and stretched. The filaments are directed from the attenuator into and through a filament depositing unit and are deposited randomly upon a moving continuous air-permeable belt to form a nonwoven web of substantially continuous filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Taylor, Robert C. Alexander