Abstract: A system and method for providing a plurality of fibers from a spinneret; subjecting the fibers to quench air; attenuating the fibers through a closed stretching unit; reducing a velocity of the plurality of fibers in a diffuser that is spaced apart from an exit of the closed stretching unit in a direction of travel of the fibers, the diffuser having opposed diverging sidewalls; and subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge before the fibers enter the diffuser, wherein the electrostatic charge is applied by one or more electrostatic charging units.

Abstract: A method of making nonwoven webs comprising providing a spinneret including a pattern of conduits forming an extrusion region; directing only a first stream of molten propylene polymer into a region adjacent the first side of the spinneret, directing only a second stream of molten propylene polymer into a region distal to the first side of the spinneret, extruding only the first stream propylene polymer through the exit openings in a first zone where the exit opening comprises exit ports in the first zone having a first density; extruding only the second stream propylene polymer through the exit openings of a second zone where the exit opening comprises exit ports in the second zone having a second density less than the first density; and the second zone is distal to the first side with the first zone being between the second zone and the first side.

Abstract: A method of making nonwoven webs comprising providing a spinneret wherein the spinneret includes a pattern of conduits, the pattern of conduits forming an extrusion region; directing only a first stream of molten propylene polymer having a first temperature into a region adjacent of the first side of the spinneret, directing only a second stream of molten propylene polymer having a second temperature into a region distal to the first side of the spinneret, extruding only the first stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings in a first zone; extruding only the second stream of molten propylene polymer through the exit openings of a second zone; the second zone is distal to the first side with the first zone being between the second zone and the first side.

Abstract: A hollow fiber that extending along at least a portion of the fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and is defined by an interior wall is provided. Through selective control over the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that the hollow fiber can exhibit a unique combination of a high void fraction and small fiber size that makes it particularly suitable for use in certain applications, such as in nonwoven webs for absorbent articles.

Abstract: A hollow fiber that extending along at least a portion of the fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and is defined by an interior wall is provided. Through selective control over the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that the hollow fiber can exhibit a unique combination of a high void fraction and small fiber size that makes it particularly suitable for use in certain applications, such as in nonwoven webs for absorbent articles.

Abstract: Spunbond fiber nonwoven webs (and methods for making the same) comprising small diameter filaments at high rates of production and with high process stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a SMS nonwoven laminate having a basis weight of less than about 20 gsm, said nonwoven laminate comprising outer layers of continuous spunbond filaments and an internal layer of from about 18% to about 43%, by weight of the nonwoven laminate of meltblown fibers, said nonwoven laminate having been hydroentangled to create visibly distinct patterns on the surface of at least one of the outer layers of said nonwoven laminate; and wherein prior to said hydroentangling, the content of meltblown fibers in the nonwoven laminate was from about 20% to about 45%, by weight of the nonwoven laminate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonwoven composite comprising an elastomeric polymer elastic film positioned adjacent to and melt fused under heat and pressure to a nonwoven web material at a plurality of discrete bond points, wherein said nonwoven composite comprises a plurality of unbonded areas such that the unbonded areas provide unbonded elastic film positioned adjacent to but not fused to said nonwoven web such that the unbonded areas create distinct, tactile patterns in about 20% to about 75% of the surface area of the overall nonwoven composite and provides the nonwoven composite with a caliper ratio of from about 0.025 mm/gsm to about 0.050 mm/gsm.

Abstract: A hollow fiber that extending along at least a portion of the fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and is defined by an interior wall is provided. Through selective control over the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that the hollow fiber can exhibit a unique combination of a high void fraction and small fiber size that makes it particularly suitable for use in certain applications, such as in nonwoven webs for absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for melt extruding a nonwoven web includes providing a plurality of fibers from an extrusion device. The fibers are conveyed through a diverging profile portion of a fiber drawing unit (FDU) that causes the fibers to spread and expand in the machine direction within the FDU. The fibers are then conveyed through a diverging diffusion chamber spaced from the outlet of the FDU to reduce the velocity of the fibers and further spread the fibers in the machine direction. The fibers may be subjected to an applied electrostatic charge in either the diffusion chamber or the FDU. From the outlet of the diffusion chamber, the fibers are laid onto a forming surface as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for melt extruding a nonwoven web includes providing a plurality of fibers from an extrusion device. The fibers are conveyed through a diverging profile portion of a fiber drawing unit (FDU) that causes the fibers to spread and expand in the machine direction within the FDU. The fibers are then conveyed through a diverging diffusion chamber spaced from the outlet of the FDU to reduce the velocity of the fibers and further spread the fibers in the machine direction. The fibers may be subjected to an applied electrostatic charge in either the diffusion chamber or the FDU. From the outlet of the diffusion chamber, the fibers are laid onto a forming surface as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for melt extruding a nonwoven web includes providing a plurality of fibers from an extrusion device. The fibers are conveyed through a diverging profile portion of a fiber drawing unit (FDU) that causes the fibers to spread and expand in the machine direction within the FDU. The fibers are then conveyed through a diverging diffusion chamber spaced from the outlet of the FDU to reduce the velocity of the fibers and further spread the fibers in the machine direction. The fibers may be subjected to an applied electrostatic charge in either the diffusion chamber or the FDU. From the outlet of the diffusion chamber, the fibers are laid onto a forming surface as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for melt extruding a nonwoven web includes providing a plurality of fibers from an extrusion device. The fibers are conveyed through a diverging profile portion of a fiber drawing unit (FDU) that causes the fibers to spread and expand in the machine direction within the FDU. The fibers are then conveyed through a diverging diffusion chamber spaced from the outlet of the FDU to reduce the velocity of the fibers and further spread the fibers in the machine direction. The fibers may be subjected to an applied electrostatic charge in either the diffusion chamber or the FDU. From the outlet of the diffusion chamber, the fibers are laid onto a forming surface as a nonwoven web.