Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web, the method including the steps of providing plurality of fibers and subjecting the fibers to a pneumatic attenuation force which imparts a velocity to the fibers, reducing the velocity of the fibers in a diffusion chamber which is formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge, and thereafter collecting the fibers into a web on a moving forming surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a fiber attenuation chamber, a diffusion chamber formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, the diffusion chamber located below the fiber attenuation chamber, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web with desired fiber orientation, the method including the steps of providing a source of fibers, subjecting the fibers to an electrostatic charge, deflecting the fibers with a non-contacting deflecting device, collecting the fibers on a moving forming surface to form the nonwoven web. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming fibrous nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to the fibers, a non-contacting fiber deflecting device adapted to affect the fibers while the fibers are under the influence of the applied electrostatic charge, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a fibrous nonwoven web.

Abstract: Described herein are improvements to processes and equipment for the manufacture of nonwoven webs useful in numerous applications including personal care, protective apparel, and industrial products. The fiber and/or filaments used to form the nonwoven fabric are deposited on a forming surface in a controlled orientation using application of an electrostatic charge to the fibers and/or filaments in combination with directing them to an electrode deflector plate while under the influence of the charge. The plate may be made up of teeth with a separation and angle orientation that are selected in accordance with the desired arrangement of the fibers and/or filaments in the nonwoven web. As a result, properties of the web such as relative strengths in the machine direction and cross-machine direction can be controlled. The charging of the pins is controlled so that not all pins remain at maximum charge during a cycle with the result that extended run times may be obtained.

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.

Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B bilateral morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the z-direction and produce a web of lofted material. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.

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.

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.

Abstract: A nozzle is described for downwardly directing air from an air intake of a fiber draw unit into a longitudinal channel of the fiber draw unit for forming spunbond polymeric fibers. The nozzle includes an upper eductor connected to the fiber draw unit and a lower eductor adjustably connected to the fiber draw unit and below the upper eductor. The nozzle includes a nozzle cavity that narrows from a nozzle inlet to a nozzle outlet and includes a downward turn of 90 degrees or less. Air directed through the nozzle outlet flows in a direction parallel to a wall of the longitudinal channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides continuous fiber nonwoven webs with high material formation uniformity and MD-to-CD balance of fiber directionality and material properties, as measured by a MD:CD tensile ratio of 1.2 or less, and desirably of about 1.0 or less, and laminates of the nonwoven webs. The invention also includes a method for forming the nonwoven webs wherein the fiber production apparatus is oriented at an angle less than 90 degrees to the MD direction and the fibers are subjected to deflection by a deflector oriented at an angle B with respect to the centerline of the fiber production apparatus where B is about 10 to about 80 degrees.

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.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric laminate having a meltblown layer positioned between two spunbond nonwoven layers. The meltblown layer having a gradient fiber size structure across a thickness thereof with at least one layer of coarse meltblown fibers. In one embodiment, the gradient fiber size structure has at least two layers of meltblown fibers, for example at least one layer of fine meltblown fibers and at least one layer of coarse meltblown fibers, having a mean fiber diameter difference of at least 4.0 microns.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing fine denier multicomponent thermoplastic polymer filaments incorporating high melt-flow rate polymers. Multicomponent filaments are extruded such that the high melt-flow rate polymer component is substantially surrounded by one or more low melt-flow rate polymer components. The extruded multicomponent filament is then melt-attenuated with a significant drawing force to reduce the filament diameter and form continuous, fine denier filaments.

Abstract: High loft, low density nonwoven webs of increased uniformity are produced by forming substantially continuous, spunbond, crimped, bicomponent fibers of A/B side by side morphology in an unheated fiber draw unit. The fibers are then heated and cooled in the absence of impeding forces to achieve maximum crimp in the z-direction and produce a web of lofted material. The resultant material is particularly suitable for use as an insulator. Particulates may be added to the webs if desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides multicomponent fine fiber webs and multilayer laminates thereof having an average fiber diameter less than about 7 micrometers and comprising a first olefin polymer component and a second distinct polymer component such as an amorphous polyolefin or polyamide. Multilayer laminates incorporating the fine multicomponent fiber webs are also provided such as, for example, spunbond/meltblown/spunbond laminates or spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond laminates. The fine multicomponent fiber webs and laminates thereof provide laminates having excellent softness, peel strength and/or controlled permeability.

Abstract: A liquid reception device is disclosed as a component, for example, of a personal care product such as a disposable diaper, an incontinent garment, or for other applications such as, for example, an industrial soaker pad or the like. The device includes liquid activated means to move a liquid insult from a target zone to a peripheral zone. The liquid activated transport means is operated mechanically by suction created by compression or vacuum or by physical movement of a liquid container from the target zone to the peripheral zone. The disclosed device provides increased use of available liquid handling capacity.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibers, foams, films and nonwoven fabrics having more than one skin treatment benefit and/or improved skin treatment benefit(s) and to products incorporated such fibers, foams, films and fabrics. The present invention also provides a method of forming fibers, nonwoven fabrics, porous films and foams with multiple skin treatment additives that impart a number of skin health attributes.

Abstract: The present invention provides continuous fiber nonwoven webs with high material formation uniformity and MD-to-CD balance of fiber directionality and material properties, as measured by a MD:CD tensile ratio of 1.2 or less, and desirably of about 1.0 or less, and laminates of the nonwoven webs. The invention also includes a method for forming the nonwoven webs wherein the fiber production apparatus is oriented at an angle less than 90 degrees to the MD direction and the fibers are subjected to deflection by a deflector oriented at an angle B with respect to the centerline of the fiber production apparatus where B is about 10 to about 80 degrees.

Abstract: A nozzle is described for downwardly directing air from an air intake of a fiber draw unit into a longitudinal channel of the fiber draw unit for forming spunbond polymeric fibers. The nozzle includes an upper eductor connected to the fiber draw unit and a lower eductor adjustably connected to the fiber draw unit and below the upper eductor. The nozzle includes a nozzle cavity that narrows from a nozzle inlet to a nozzle outlet and includes a downward turn of 90 degrees or less. Air directed through the nozzle outlet flows in a direction parallel to a wall of the longitudinal channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides multicomponent fine fiber webs and multilayer laminates thereof having an average fiber diameter less than about 7 micrometers and comprising a first olefin polymer component and a second distinct polymer component such as an amorphous polyolefin or polyamide. Multilayer laminates incorporating the fine multicomponent fiber webs are also provided such as, for example, spunbond/meltblown/spunbond laminates or spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond laminates. The fine multicomponent fiber webs and laminates thereof provide laminates having excellent softness, peel strength and/or controlled permeability.