Patents Examined by Joseph Layson
  • Patent number: 6461133
    Abstract: A die head assembly for producing bicomponent meltblown fibers includes a die tip detachably mountable to a support member. The support member conveys first and second polymers separately to the die tip. The die tip has a row of channels defined therethrough that terminate at exit orifices or nozzles along the bottom edge of the die tip. These channels receive and combine the separate first and second polymers conveyed from the support member. An elongated recess is defined in the top surface of the die tip. The recess defines an upper chamber for each of the die tip channels. Stacked breaker plates are removably supported in the recess. The breaker plates have vertically aligned pairs of adjacent holes defined therethrough such that a pair of the aligned holes is disposed in each upper chamber of each channel. A filter screen is in the recess to separately filter the polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Lake, Darryl Clark, Bryan D. Haynes
  • Patent number: 5697402
    Abstract: A system for mixing first and second polymer melt flows and directing a mixed polymer melt flow to one and another downstream locations includes a control valve having an inlet port for receiving the first polymer melt flow, and a pair of outlet ports, and a fluidic valve for forming the mixed flow of the first and second polymer melt flows and directing the mixed flow to one of a plurality of downstream locations. The fluidic valve is provided with a primary supply port for receiving the second polymer melt flow, a pair of secondary supply ports which are fluid-connected with the primary supply port at a mixing intersection, and a plurality of discharge ports extending from the mixing intersection. Each discharge port directs the mixed flow of the first and second polymer melt flows to a respective downstream location. A pair of branch conduits is provided which fluid-connect one of the pair of outlet ports of the control valve to a respective one of the secondary supply ports of the fluidic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hodan, Matthew B. Hoyt, Otto M. Ilg