Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically a process and apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 2006
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2010
Assignee:
Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael H. Johnson, Timothy Krause, Michael W. Hayes, Rajeev Chhabra, Savas Aydore, Olaf Erik Alexander Isele, Han Xu
Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 26, 2009
Publication date:
December 31, 2009
Applicants:
Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Orhun K. MURATOGLU, Stephen H. SPIEGELBERG, Gareth H. MCKINLEY
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydroentangled flame retardant nonwoven fabric, and more specifically, to a cellulosic flame retardant fabric comprising a self extinguishing fiber so as to minimize the total percentage of fabric weight lost upon burning in accordance with technical bulletin 604. Use of natural fiber fabrics in bedding components is desirable due to the softness and durability associated with the fabrics; however, natural fiber, such as cellulose, is highly flammable and therefore lacks the ability to provide the proper flammability protection often sought out in bedding components. In accordance with the present invention, a small amount of self-extinguishing fiber, such as a modacrylic fiber, was blended with the natural fiber and hydroentangled to form a nonwoven composite fabric that is soft, flame retardant, and suitable for bedding articles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 8, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 29, 2009
Assignee:
Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Herbert Hartgrove, Gregory Rabon, Russell Tindall
Abstract: This invention relates to a durable fire retardant nonwoven fabric and method of making the same. Said fabric performs in accordance to the requirements set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs (TB_603), wherein the fire retardant fabric includes at least two layers including at least one strength and reinforcing layer.
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:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2009
Assignee:
Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Tim Krause, Rick Ferencz, Rajeev Chhabra, Olaf Isele, Han Xu
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:
Application
Filed:
June 20, 2006
Publication date:
December 3, 2009
Applicant:
POLYMER GROUP, INC.
Inventors:
Timothy Krause, Michael H. Johnson, Richard Ferencz
Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example, the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 7, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 17, 2009
Assignee:
Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey W. Ruberti, Gavin J. C. Braithwaite
Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 12, 2009
Publication date:
October 22, 2009
Applicants:
Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous construct which is used in providing cementitious mixtures supplemental and reinforcing strength upon setting, and more particularly, to a unitized fibrous construct which comprises a plurality of oriented reinforcing fibrous components, wherein the fibrous components can be cut to a predetermined and finite cut length upon formation and remain in a plural parallel form until such point the unitized fibrous substrate is incorporated and subjected to mechanical agitation during preparation of a cementitious blend or mixture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2006
Date of Patent:
October 6, 2009
Assignee:
Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Paul Schmidt, Gene Lamb, David Anderson
Abstract: Nonwoven polymer materials and articles made therefrom. Materials of the invention include at least one nonwoven polymer web with at least one layer of at least about 50% by weight of a multi-lobal fiber. Materials and articles of the invention have improved properties, such as particle retention capacity, acoustic absorption, stiffness, crop color uniformity, and crop yield, when compared with nonwoven polymer materials and articles made with round fiber in place of all of the multi-lobal fiber.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 14, 2007
Publication date:
October 1, 2009
Applicant:
POLYMER GROUP, INC.
Inventors:
Nyle Bishop, Enrique Martinez, Pierre D. Grondin, Michel Delattre, Jorge Santisteban
Abstract: A synthetic reinforcement fibrous material comprising releasable fibrous units during concrete mixing, where the fibrous units have a main filament element and plurality of integral outward extending subunits, useful as secondary reinforcement material and having a low Young's modulus for a more uniform distribution throughout a cementitious mixture incorporating the fibrous material, and imparts good finishability, strength, improved plastic shrinkage crack control, in also provides improved conformability within cementitious forms, especially within forms comprising bends. Improved cementitious compositions and fiber-reinforced concrete building products incorporating the synthetic fibrous material are also provided, as well as methods for making these materials.
Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2009
Assignees:
Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg, Gareth H. McKinley
Abstract: Improved fibrous structural reinforcements (16) for castable compositions (14) are provided and methods for making the same. In one implementation, the improved fibrous structural reinforcements rely 16) on an amorphous crystalline component (10), an isotactic crystalline component (12) and profiled terminal ends (20, 22) to improve flexural properties. The isotactic crystalline component (12) provides an initial strength to the fiber (16) and the amorphous crystalline component (10) provides a latent strength once the fiber (16) is subjected to tension and flexural input in the castable construct (14). The profiled terminal ends (20, 22) lock into a cured keyway (301) in the castable construct (14), thereby providing further enhancement to the tensile strength.
Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
March 24, 2009
Assignees:
The General Hospital Corporation, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg, Gareth H. McKinley
Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 3, 2009
Assignees:
The General Hospital Corporation, Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Orhun K. Muratoglu, Stephen H. Spiegelberg
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
Abstract: In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example, the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 4, 2004
Date of Patent:
February 3, 2009
Assignee:
Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey W. Ruberti, Gavin J. C. Braithwaite
Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 7, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2008
Assignee:
Polymer Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Richard Ferencz, Michael Putnam, Jian Weng