Spinneret Type Patents (Class 425/382.2)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7621731
    Abstract: A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jack Eugene Armantrout, Lewis Edward Manring, Robert Anthony Marin, Larry R. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20090280207
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the production of superfine fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Karen Lozano, Kamalaksha Sarkar
  • Patent number: 7611347
    Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kearns, Galen J. Rokey, Philip B. Wiltz, Anthony L. Bruning, Lafe N. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20090232920
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the production of superfine fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Karen Lozano, Kamalaksha Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20080317895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depositing synthetic fibers to form a non-woven web. The fibers are transported through a take-off nozzle by means of an air stream in the direction of a depositing belt. The device is provided with a guide duct for guiding fibers from the take-off nozzle to the depositing belt, said duct having a mobile retaining flap on one end of a longitudinal side that faces the depositing belt. To obtain a depositing area on the depositing belt that is separate from the environment as the position of the retaining flap is modified, the retaining flap is formed by a support and an elastic sealing lip, which is held in frictional contact with the depositing belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Galliano Boscolo, Hans-Holger Heesch
  • Patent number: 7438544
    Abstract: Melt-blow head with a rectilinear row of nozzle bores arranged in a nozzle bar of a nozzle assembly, the nozzle bores serving to produce endless filaments formed from a melt, the nozzle bores being associated with blowing slots, in the form of longitudinal slots, to which nozzle bores the melt is fed, via melt feed pipes from one or more distribution bars and via melt pipes in a distribution block of the nozzle assembly. The blowing slots are supplied with the blow air through blow-air feed pipes in a blow-air feed element via blow-air distribution bores. A spinning width of the melt-blow head is variable, wherein only those blow-air distribution bores associated with the nozzle bores to be fed are connected to the blowing slots via blow-air pipes in the distribution block and, where appropriate, the other blow-air distribution bores are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: Erwin Glawion, Georg Harwarth, Burkard Kampfmann
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7377762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin-molded article with a spring structure, and to a method and apparatus for preparing a superficial layer of such a resin-molded article with a spring structure which has surfaces free from undulations, comprises fused filaments whose fusion is resistant to separation, maintains its cushioning activity and strength even after long use. A water flows from a cooling water outlet 53b into a space between a water-permeating sheet 55 and an inclined plate 51a. Some part of the flowing water C penetrates the water-permeating sheet 55 to appear on its top surface to form there an overlying current M on which receives lengthwise arranged peripheral continuous filaments, and agitates them to cause adjacent filaments to contact each other, to be entwined and gathered, thereby enabling the formation of a superficial layer of the three-dimensional structure 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Ein Co., Ltd. Technical Center
    Inventors: Sadao Nishibori, Iwao Kouno, Yuichiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7374416
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the width of a plurality of extruded filaments comprising providing a polymer supply and an extrusion die comprising a plurality of extrusion capillaries and a plurality of counterbores allowing fluid communication between the extrusion capillaries and polymer supply, providing an adjustable insert for interrupting fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary, providing at least one fluidized polymer, conveying the polymer through the polymer supply, counterbores and extrusion capillaries to extrude a plurality of filaments, and interrupting the fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary by adjusting the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Cook, Bryan David Haynes
  • 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: 7351052
    Abstract: The apparatus for producing a nanofiber includes a supply unit (110) for supplying melted polymer for fiber material, a spinning unit (122) having several radiation nozzles (122) to which first voltage having a polar is applied to discharge the polymer solution supplied from the supply unit in a filament form, a collector (130) spaced apart form the spinning nozzles in order to pile the filament from the spinning unit and applied to second voltage having opposite polar to the first voltage, and a control unit (140) applied to the first voltage having the same polar as the charged filament and extended from an end of the spinning nozzle toward the collector at least at both sides of the spinning unit in order to prevent repulsion and dispersion of the filament stream radiated from each spinning nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nanophil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-Won Chun, Jong-Su Park
  • Patent number: 7322811
    Abstract: An apparatus for spinning and winding a plurality of synthetic filament yarns, and which includes a spinning device, a withdrawal godet downstream of the spinning device, and a takeup device which has a plurality of winding positions that are distributed along a longitudinal axis. In the spinning device, a plurality of spinnerets are arranged in side-by-side relationship, each for spinning one yarn, and in the takeup device, each yarn is wound to a package at one of the winding positions. To provide a device that is compact and operator friendly, the spinning device and withdrawal godet are oriented in a transverse relationship with the longitudinal axis of the takeup device, and they are arranged in the region of the front end of the takeup device. With that, the distribution of the yarns from the spinning device to the winding positions can be readily accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Schröter
  • Patent number: 7241123
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing and winding synthetic multifilament yarns, which has a spin unit 1 for melt spinning the yarns, at least one treatment unit 7 for treating the yarns, and a takeup unit 16 with a plurality of winding positions for winding the yarns. The winding positions 17.1-17.3 are distributed along a horizontal axis of the takeup unit 16, with a driven guide roll 12 and a yarn guide 15.1-15.3 for each winding position being arranged upstream thereof for advancing the yarn. To prevent different yarn deflections despite a different spacing between yarns while treating and while winding the yarns, the invention provides for orienting the guide roll 12 with its roll axis in the vertical direction to guide the yarns, and for arranging it laterally adjacent the yarn guides 15.1-15.3 such that the yarns can be advanced substantially in parallel relationship between the guide roll 12 and the yarn guides 15.1-15.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Kirchhoff, Bernd Aretz
  • 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: 7172399
    Abstract: An apparatus for spinning melt-spun filament yarns including a spin beam is disclosed. A polymer melt fed to a spin beam is distributed within the spin beam to a plurality of spinning cans mounted on the spin beam. To reduce costs to the manufacturer for ensuring ease of disassembly of the spin beam, as well as to avoid the need for disassembling the spin beam and having a furnace on hand, the spin beam is provided with an integrated or removably attachable regenerative heater by which the melt-conducting components of the spin beam can be heated to a regeneration temperature of between about 450 to 550° C. to pyrolytically remove the deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tilman Reutter
  • Patent number: 7172401
    Abstract: A spinneret assembly for melt spinning a plurality of strand-like filaments, which includes a plurality of internal parts composed of at least one inlet component 2 and a spinneret plate 3 which are braced relative each other in a housing 1 by a supporting means. The inlet component 2 forms a melt inlet 5, and the spinneret plate 3 forms a melt outlet by means of a plurality of spin holes 4. To achieve during operation a self-sealing between the internal parts, the invention provides for arranging an expansion body 8 between the housing 1 and one of the internal parts. The expansion body 8 is formed of a material which has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the housing material, and it generates, upon being heated, a pressure force inside the housing which provides for a self-sealing bracing of the internal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Kirchhoff
  • 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: 7165963
    Abstract: A melt extrusion spinneret plate has at least one non-circular capillary orifice for producing at least a single filament of circular cross-sectional shape. This non-circular cross-sectional shape of the extrusion capillary, when used to extrude filaments of circular cross-sectional shape, extends the spinneret wipe life by lessening the amount of thermal deposits, which extends the time between wipe cycles. As a result of increased wipe life, the productivity of the process is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Invista North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Lance E. Nunley, Ronald E. Steele
  • 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: 7156639
    Abstract: A device for producing filaments, in particular, from a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the filaments emerge from the spinneret openings of a spinneret plate. A distribution device is provided for distributing the molten polymer being supplied over a preliminary spinning width. At least one exchangeable distribution plate with several distribution openings that are distributed over the spinning width is arranged downstream of the distribution device. The exchangeable spinneret plate is arranged downstream of the distribution plate, wherein said spinneret plate contains spinneret channels that are distributed over the final spinning width. The spinning width defined by the distribution openings is smaller or larger than the preliminary spinning width, and the preliminary spinning width can be reduced or enlarged to the final spinning width with the aid of the distribution plate. The desired final spinning width can be adjusted by exchanging the distribution plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Michael Baumeister
  • Patent number: 7140859
    Abstract: This specification describes an apparatus for carrying out a method of making a multi-walled pipe in the shape of a tube having a helical configuration. The apparatus is made up of an extruder with multiple dies. These multiple dies include at least two concentric arcuate dies that are radially spaced apart and a plurality of relatively straight dies that radially connect the concentric arcuate dies. The apparatus includes means for cooling the extrudate to solidify it into a usable condition. Means are provided to cause the multi-wall pipe to have a helical configuration, that is, apparatus is provided that arranges the pipe as a whole into a structure that has a circumferential component and a longitudinal component to its orientation; e.g. a helix. The longitudinal orientation is accomplished by providing apparatus that causes the pipe to proceed downstream in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment of this invention, the extrudate is pulled longitudinally down stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Protens, Inc.
    Inventor: F. John Herrington
  • Patent number: 7134857
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrospinning fibers in which the apparatus includes a spray head having a longitudinal axis and including at least one electrospinning element disposed in a peripheral wall of the spray head surrounding the longitudinal axis. The electrospinning element includes a passage by which a substance from which the fibers are to be electrospun is provided to a tip of the extrusion electrospinning element. The electrospinning element extends from the peripheral wall in a direction from the longitudinal axis and is configured to electrospin the fibers by electric field extraction of the substance from the tip of the extrusion electrospinning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Anthony L. Andrady, David S. Ensor, Randall J. Newsome
  • Patent number: 7125238
    Abstract: An apparatus for melt spinning a plurality of strand-like filaments through a spinneret, which is mounted within a downwardly open receptacle in a nozzle holder. The spinneret includes a housing which is deformed by the entry of the pressurized polymeric melt into an internal diffuser chamber, so as to press the spinneret against the inner wall of the receptacle and thereby seal the melt inlet of the spinneret against the melt outlet in the receptacle. Thus the high pressure forces required for sealing only arise and are active during the operational state, and the spinneret can be otherwise held in the nozzle holder under a minimal securing force which permits the spinneret to be easily loosened and removed for periodic maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tilman Reutter, Christian Vollmers
  • Patent number: 7037097
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling airflow in a fiber extrusion process includes a fiber flow region between an inlet through which extruded fibers are received and an outlet through which the extruded fibers are discharged and at least one surface providing a boundary between the fiber flow region and another region, wherein the surface includes apertures permitting air to flow between the fiber flow region and the other region to control airflow at the outlet of the fiber flow region. The apparatus can include a housing which contains at least one chamber, with the surface forming a boundary between the fiber flow region and the chamber, such that the apertures permit air to flow between the fiber flow region and at the chamber. In a spunbond process, the airflow control device receives drawn filaments exiting an aspirator and deposits the filaments onto a web-forming surface with reduced air disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hills, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold E. Wilkie, James Brang, Angel Antonio De La Hoz
  • Patent number: 7018188
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for forming fibers. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a die assembly having a plurality of nozzles, one or more attenuation medium passages and a cover plate. The cover plate has a cover plate opening into which one or more of the nozzles may extend. The attenuation medium passages have a minimum cross-sectional area and the cover plate opening has a limiting cross-sectional area such that the minimum cross-sectional area of the attenuation medium passages is greater than the limiting cross-sectional area of the cover plate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael David James, Stanford Royce Jackson, Savas Aydore, Hasan Eroglu, Donald Eugene Ensign, Paul Dennis Trokhan, David Lee Moore, Edwin Arthur Stewart
  • 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: 7008205
    Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for producing a spunbonded fabric web comprising a diffuser defining for the filaments a passage with diverging cross-section, and mounted a certain distance from the slot attenuator, and a conveyor for receiving the filaments coming out of the diffuser. The uniformity of the web is enhanced by means of a device separating the filaments by electrostatic process mounted at a higher level than the bottom of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rieter Perfojet
    Inventors: Laurent Schmit, Rosario Maggio
  • 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: 6979186
    Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for producing a spunbonded fabric web comprising a diffuser defining for the drawn filaments a passage with diverging cross-section, and mounted a certain distance from the slot attenuator, and a conveyor receiving the filaments coming out of the diffuser. The uniformity of the web is enhanced by means of a device separating the filaments from each other by electrostatic process mounted at a higher level higher than the bottom of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Reiter Perfojet
    Inventors: Laurent Schmit, Rosario Maggio
  • Patent number: 6974316
    Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for producing a nonwoven web wherein the distance between the lower edge of the slit drawing device and the upper edge of the diffuser is maintained constant by uniformly distributed hasps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Rieter Perfojet
    Inventor: Rosario Maggio
  • Patent number: 6972101
    Abstract: A method and device for regulating the composition of a solution(s) in the production of cellulosic mouldings. The device comprises multiple measuring devices for the measurement of non-optical properties of the solution. According to invention, by measuring the non-optical properties of the solutions and comparison of the measured value with a preset value, the composition(s) of the solution(s) can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Frank-Gunter Niemz, Wilhem Meyer, Tanja Mainzer-Althof
  • Patent number: 6972104
    Abstract: The present invention provides a meltblown die which has a considerable smaller width in the machine direction of the meltblowing process compared to conventional and commercially used meltblown dies. The meltblown die of the present invention has a. a die body; b. a die tip mounted to the die body; c. a first air plate mounted to the die body; and d. a second air plate mounted to the die body. In addition, the small size of the meltblown die of the present invention provides advantages over conventional meltblown die, including improved air entrainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan David Haynes, Michael Charles Cook
  • Patent number: 6932590
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing spun-bond webs has, beneath the receiving belt, a suction unit having at least two suction zones including a primary suction zone and at least one other suction zone, the primary suction zone receiving most of the filaments from an aerodynamic stretching unit below a spinneret. The suction speeds in the two zones can be adjusted independently of one another. Preferably three such zones are provided in succession in the direction of displacement of the perforated belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Hans Georg Geus, Detlef Frey, Peter Schlag
  • Patent number: 6918751
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for melt spinning and cooling a filament bundle. To this end, the device comprises a spinning device with an annular spinneret for extruding the filament bundle as well as a cooling unit arranged below the spinning device. The cooling unit comprises a holding device and a coolant dispersing head that is connected to said holding device. In an operating position, said coolant dispersing head is substantially centered relative to the spinneret with contact between the spinning device and the holding device. The coolant dispersing head can be guided into a standby position at a distance from the spinneret. According to the invention, a movable shielding means is arranged laterally of the coolant dispersing head and can be moved between an initial position laterally of the coolant dispersing head and a shielding position directly underneath the spinneret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Neumag GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Brandt, Andreas Cohrt, Herbert Peters, Peter Blunck
  • 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: 6902690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cellulosed shaped bodies. (a) Cellulose and an aqueous aminoxide are mixed, whereby a suspension is produced. (b) A cellulose solution is produced from the suspension, whereby water evaporates. (c) A first property and a second property of the produced cellulose solution is measured and the measured value is used for correcting the composition of the solution and (d) the cellulose solution is extruded through a gap of air and into an aqueous regenerating bath where said solution is coagulated to form shaped bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Frank Gunter Niemz, Wilhelm Meyer, Tanja Mainzer Althof
  • Patent number: 6890166
    Abstract: A spinning-drawing-texturing machine for producing crimped threads is described, comprising a spinning device, a drawing device, a texturing device, and a take-up device. A plurality of threads spun by the spinning device is assigned to the drawing device, the texturing device, and the take-up device. According to the present invention, the drawing device and the texturing device are arranged in a processing module and the take-up device in a winding module underneath the spinning device. The processing module and the winding module are erected side by side and form one long side of the machine. This ensures a configuration divided by functional groups, which facilitates operation and increases operational reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Neumag GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 6887410
    Abstract: A parallel spinning process, in particular for filaments, e.g. for textile or industrial applications, made from polymers such as, for example, PET or PA, in each case having a thread interlacing device between two godets for each individual thread, the godets being moved in relation to one another during the piercing or feeding operation in such a way that each individual thread is automatically threaded into its interlacing device associated therewith, and the angle of wrap in the operating mode is at least from 85° to at most 200°, preferably from 175° to 185°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Kress, Thomas Gries
  • Patent number: 6884053
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multifilament yarn from a thermoplastic polymer includes a yarn guiding element being movable in a vertical direction. A drive serves to change the vertical position of the yarn guiding element with respect to a point of consolidation of the filaments. At least one sensor senses the yarn tension of the filaments. A control unit serves to control the drive in response to the sensed yarn tension to change the vertical position of the yarn guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Georg Sahm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nicholas Day
  • Patent number: 6877971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a transversely aligned web having filaments aligned in the transverse direction, comprising conveyor running in one direction, spinning nozzle disposed above the conveyor, an annular primary airflow nozzle, and at least one pair of secondary airflow nozzles disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the running direction of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignees: Nippon Petrochemicals Co. Ltd., Polymer Processing Research Institute, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kurihara, Yoichi Mazawa, Yoshiro Morino
  • Patent number: 6872339
    Abstract: A device and a method for the melt spinning and depositing of a plurality of tows (5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n) utilizes several spinning devices (1.1, 1.2, . . . , 1.n) by means of which one of the tows 5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n is produced from a filament bundle (4.1, 4.2, . . . , 4.n). Each spinning device (1.1, 2.2, . . . , 1.n) is associated with a respective drawing-off device and a respective can depositing device (3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.n) so that each of the tows (5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n) can be deposited individually in a respective can (19.1, 19.2, . . . , 19.n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Neumag GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Schemken, Henning Rave, Horst Kropat
  • Patent number: 6858168
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming liquid spinning solution into a solid formed product whereby the solution is passed through at least one tubular passage (17) having walls formed at least partly of semipermeable and/or porous material. The semipermeable and/or porous material allows parameters, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions, water, salts and low molecular weight, of the liquid spinning solution to be altered as the spinning solution passes through the tubular passage(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Spin'Tech Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Paul Vollrath, David Philip Knight
  • Publication number: 20040265415
    Abstract: A device for producing filaments, in particular, from a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the filaments emerge from the spinneret openings of a spinneret plate. A distribution device is provided for distributing the molten polymer being supplied over a preliminary spinning width. At least one exchangeable distribution plate with several distribution openings that are distributed over the spinning width is arranged downstream of the distribution device. The exchangeable spinneret plate is arranged downstream of the distribution plate, wherein said spinneret plate contains spinneret channels that are distributed over the final spinning width. The spinning width defined by the distribution openings is smaller or larger than the preliminary spinning width, and the preliminary spinning width can be reduced or enlarged to the final spinning width with the aid of the distribution plate. The desired final spinning width can be adjusted by exchanging the distribution plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Michael Baumeister
  • 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: 6824372
    Abstract: A new fiber-forming method, and apparatus useful for performing the method, are taught in which extruded filaments of fiber-forming material are directed through a processing chamber that is defined by two parallel walls, at least one of which is instantaneously movable toward and away from the other wall; preferably both walls are instantaneously movable toward and away from one another. Movement means provide instantaneous movement to the at least one movable wall. In one embodiment, the movement means comprises biasing means for resiliently biasing the wall toward the other wall. Movement of the wall toward and away from the other wall is sufficiently easy and rapid that the wall will move away from the other wall in response to increases in pressure within the chamber but will be quickly returned to its original position by the biasing means upon resumption of the original pressure within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, William T. Fay
  • Patent number: 6824733
    Abstract: Melt blown nonwoven webs are formed by supplying fiber-forming material to a planetary gear metering pump having a plurality of outlets, flowing fiber-forming material from the pump outlets through a plurality of inlets in one or more die cavities, and meltblowing the fiber-forming material. Each die cavity inlet receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stanley C. Erickson, James C. Breister, Michael G. Schwartz, Patrick J. Sager
  • Publication number: 20040228939
    Abstract: A spinneret assembly for melt spinning a plurality of strand-like filaments, which includes a plurality of internal parts composed of at least one inlet component 2 and a spinneret plate 3 which are braced relative each other in a housing 1 by a supporting means. The inlet component 2 forms a melt inlet 5, and the spinneret plate 3 forms a melt outlet by means of a plurality of spin holes 4. To achieve during operation a self-sealing between the internal parts, the invention provides for arranging an expansion body 8 between the housing 1 and one of the internal parts. The expansion body 8 is formed of a material which has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the housing material, and it generates, upon being heated, a pressure force inside the housing which provides for a self-sealing bracing of the internal parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Kirchhoff