Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system to compress a data file to form a compressed data file. The data file may be used to configure control of hardware, such as peripheral hardware. The compressed data file may be stored locally or transmitted to another computer device. The compressed data file may be stored in a flash memory. The compressed data file may require less space in flash memory components, relative to flash memory suitable to hold the (original, pre-compressed) data file. Compression and/or decompression may be performed by, for example, a flash memory controller. The compressed data file may be decompressed dynamically, on an as-needed basis, to provide code for execution by a processor and/or to configure a computer device to use hardware or other components. Other software and hardware components do not need to be aware that the data file is compressed in the flash memory.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system to compress a data file to form a compressed data file. The data file may be used to configure control of hardware, such as peripheral hardware. The compressed data file may be stored locally or transmitted to another computer device. The compressed data file may be stored in a flash memory. The compressed data file may require less space in flash memory components, relative to flash memory suitable to hold the (original, pre-compressed) data file. Compression and/or decompression may be performed by, for example, a flash memory controller. The compressed data file may be decompressed dynamically, on an as-needed basis, to provide code for execution by a processor and/or to configure a computer device to use hardware or other components. Other software and hardware components do not need to be aware that the data file is compressed in the flash memory.

Abstract: A process and a device involves melt-spinning and cooling synthetic filaments. Therein, a plurality of filaments is extruded from a polymer melt and, after the extrusion, is guided into a cooling shaft for cooling. Within the cooling shaft cool air is blown, via a blower wall, into the cooling shaft, where, for cooling, the filaments are guided along the blower wall and at a distance from it. In order to obtain cooling adapted to the particular filament titer, the blowing onto the filaments can be set by selecting one of several operating positions, where to change the operating position of the blower wall it is moved in the direction towards the filaments or in the direction away from the filaments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new non-woven fabric or laminate produced in a spunbond process using ultra low polymeric resins above 100 MFR as the raw materials using filament speeds above 5,000 meters per minute. The new materials produced possess an excellent combination of the softness and the strength resulting from ultra fine filaments attained through high spinning speed and the favorable filament structure allowing for strong binding achieved. One spunbond process that can be used for producing the fabric using the ultra low polymeric resins as raw materials is the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,468 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,684 that provides for filament speeds above 5,000 meters per minute.

Abstract: A process and a device involves melt-spinning and cooling synthetic filaments. Therein, a plurality of filaments is extruded from a polymer melt and, after the extrusion, is guided into a cooling shaft for cooling. Within the cooling shaft cool air is blown, via a blower wall, into the cooling shaft, where, for cooling, the filaments are guided along the blower wall and at a distance from it. In order to obtain cooling adapted to the particular filament titer, the blowing onto the filaments can be set by selecting one of several operating positions, where to change the operating position of the blower wall it is moved in the direction towards the filaments or in the direction away from the filaments.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to reduce or eliminate undesirable filament bundles in a spunbond generating process that includes providing a spin beam that has a source of polymer melt, a spinneret for forming individual filaments of said polymer melt and a drawing unit that draws the filaments from the spinneret for depositing on a web forming means below the drawing unit. The spin beam includes one or more embedded electrodes that charge electrostatically the polymer melt that is used to form the filaments in the spinneret with like charges. By having filaments of a similar electrostatic charge (which is a repelling force), bundling is eliminated. The apparatus and method may also include providing an additional electrostatic charge at the entrance of the drawing unit for further electrostatically charging the filaments.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric is formed from a spunbond process by extruding generally ribbon-shaped fibers 126 through slot-shaped orifices 124 of a spinneret 122. The ribbon-shaped fibers are rapidly quenched after extrusion to achieve a substantially uniform molecular orientation throughout a transverse cross section of the fibers, yielding stronger fibers. The rapid quenching results largely from the relatively high aspect ratio (thinness) of the fibers and the relatively large surface area of the fibers, which permits the fibers to quickly cool throughout the transverse cross section. The ribbon-shaped fibers are drawn longitudinally by an aspirator 128 that exerts a generally downward force produced by an air stream that longitudinally stretches and transversely attenuates the ribbon-shaped fibers in such a manner that the transverse cross-sectional shape of the ribbon-shaped fibers enhances the interaction between the air stream and the ribbon-shaped fibers to maximize the downward force.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a non-woven polymeric fabric web, such as a spunbond web, having filaments of 0.1 to 5 or higher denier with equivalent production rates is provided. A plurality of continuous polymeric filaments are extruded from an extruder and attenuated by a drawing unit that includes a longitudinal elongated slot strategically positioned at an optimum distance very close to the spinneret to increase the filament velocity by reducing air viscous drag on filaments and a drawing unit slot having a lower slot length of approximately 210 mm or less to increase form drag. A web forming table is positioned below the drawing unit for collecting the filaments and forming the filaments into a non-woven fabric web. Filaments of increased tensile strength are created by stress-induced crystallization resulting from higher filament velocity due to increased force on the filaments with less air viscous drag between the filaments and air streams.

Abstract: A method for producing a non-woven polymeric fabric web, such as a spunbond web, having filaments of 0.1 to 5 denier with equivalent production rates is provided. A plurality of continuous polymeric filaments is extruded from an extruder and attenuated by a drawing unit that includes a longitudinal elongated slot strategically positioned at an optimum distance very close to the spinneret. A web forming table is positioned below the drawing unit for collecting the filaments and forming the filaments into a non-woven fabric web. At startup, nominal throughput and air pressure is used. Gradually, throughput is greatly increased by simultaneously increasing air pressure while reducing the distance between the spinneret and the drawing unit. Coordinating the adjustment of the throughput with air pressure and distance reduction of the spinneret and the drawing unit produces the finest filaments at equivalent production or the same filament size at the highest production rate and lowest cost.

Abstract: A process for spinning polymeric filaments into yarn at high spinning speeds for producing yarn of high quality that includes the steps of extruding molten polymer through a spinneret, providing an aspirator at a preselected position relative to the slinneret and, after start up, adjusting the aspirator distance from the spinneret thereby moving the aspirator drawing force closer to the spinneret, forming a yarn path made from the filaments, supplying a finish to the yarn, and drawing the yam up with a take up wheel The spinning speed of the yarn on the take up reel is increased while moving the aspirator containing the drawing force within five to fifty centimeters to the spinneret. Using this method much higher filament velocities can be reached (above 10,000 meters per minute) without breaking the filaments or the yarn.

Abstract: A process for producing a non-woven polymeric fabric web, such as a spunbond web, having filaments of 0.1 to 5 denier with equivalent production rates. A plurality of continuous polymeric filaments is extruded from an extruder and attenuated by a drawing unit that includes a longitudinal elongated slot strategically positioned at an optimum distance very close to the spinneret. A web forming table is positioned below the drawing unit for collecting the filaments and forming the filaments into a non-woven fabric web. At startup, throughput is nominal, air pressure is below 20 psig, and the spinneret is positioned more than 100 cm away from the drawing unit. Gradually, throughput is greatly increased by simultaneously increasing air pressure while reducing the distance between the spinneret and the drawing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus, process and product by process for producing a non-woven polymeric fabric web, such as a spunbond web, having filaments of 0.1 to 3.0 denier with equivalent production rates. The apparatus includes a polymer filament extruder and a melt spinning device with a spinneret having multiple spaced orifices for extruding a plurality of continuous polymeric filaments, a drawing unit that includes a longitudinal elongated slot strategically positioned at a predetermined distance below the spinneret to produce the desired filament diameter, a nozzle for providing an air supply strategically within a drawing unit slot for creating turbulence, and a web forming unit positioned below the slot for collecting the filaments and forming the filaments into a non-woven fabric web. The apparatus may also include a water spray unit positioned adjacent to and surrounding the spinneret for cooling the filaments to prevent premature sticking together of the filaments and enhancing the production rate.

Abstract: A meltblown web is composed of fibers having a narrow fiber size distribution (expressed as % coefficient of variation of the average fiber diameter) and low packing density. The web is characterized as a soft lofty web and exhibits exceptional filtration capability. The web preferably comprises fibers having an average fiber size of between 3 and 10 microns and a packing density of between 5 to 15%, and a CV of 15 to 40%.

Abstract: A meltblowing die is provided with means for discharging crossflow air onto meltblown filaments to disrupt their shape and flow pattern between the die and the collector. The disruption enhances drag forces imparted by the primary meltblowing air and results in smaller diameter filaments.