Abstract: A self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a hollow polymer filament having a generally cylindrical cross-section. The filament is further defined by a cylindrical wall formed of at least two generally C-shaped sections, each section including first and second ends separated by an intermediate portion in which no two points along the cross-section of the wall corresponding to the intermediate portion share the same width. In another aspect, the invention is a coiled bilateral hollow polymeric filament in which the two component polymers are identical except for their degree of orientation. The filament is further defined by a non-linear wall formed of at least two non-linear sections.

Abstract: A foamed polymer melt including a thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend; a nucleating agent present in an amount sufficient to form a large number of very small cells, specifically cells having a diameter of no greater than about 150 ?m, and chemically inert with respect to the thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend; and a blowing agent present in an amount sufficient to effectuate foaming but less than an amount that would plasticize the polymer composition, and inert with respect to the thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend and the nucleating agent is provided.

Abstract: A lightweight, low density fiber or filament is disclosed. The fiber or filament includes a thermoplastic polymer blend and having more than thirty five percent (35%) functional void fraction in the form of foam-forming cells for reducing the density of the fiber as compared to a solid fiber; at least five void cells per axial cross section for increasing the structural integrity of the fiber as compared to less uniform foams; and a nucleating agent particle composition (such as a fluorocarbon polymer composition) that is chemically inert with respect to the thermoplastic polymer blend, and is present in an amount less than about 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: A self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a hollow polymer filament having a generally cylindrical cross-section. The filament is further defined by a cylindrical wall formed of at least two generally C-shaped sections, each section including first and second ends separated by an intermediate portion in which no two points along the cross-section of the wall corresponding to the intermediate portion share the same width. In another aspect, the invention is a coiled bilateral hollow polymeric filament in which the two component polymers are identical except for their degree of orientation. The filament is further defined by a non-linear wall formed of at least two non-linear sections.

Abstract: A lightweight, low density fiber is disclosed along with a method of manufacture. The fiber includes a thermoplastic polymer, more than fifty percent functional void fraction in the form of foam-forming cells for reducing the density of the fiber as compared to a solid fiber, at least five void cells per axial cross section for increasing the structural integrity of the fiber as compared to less uniform foams, and submicron-sized particles of a fluorocarbon polymer, present in an amount less than 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: A lightweight, low density fiber is disclosed along with a method of manufacture. The fiber includes a polyester copolymer for providing a greater elasticity than a corresponding monomer-based polyester, more than fifty percent functional void fraction in the form of foam-forming cells for reducing the density of the fiber as compared to a solid fiber, at least five void cells per axial cross section for increasing the structural integrity of the fiber as compared to less uniform foams, and submicron-sized particles of a fluorocarbon polymer, present in an amount less than 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a spinneret for the production of hollow filament having first and second curved slots where each slot is defined by a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by an intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width. In another embodiment the invention is a method for of producing generally cylindrical hollow filaments comprising extruding a polymer melt through a spinneret having first and second curved slots where each slot has a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by a intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width along the continuum defined by the distance between the first end and the second end.