Abstract: Low shrinkage, short-cut polyethylene terephthalate fiber exhibiting dispersibility suitable for incorporation into wet laid non-woven products is produced through the use of steam-annealing. The preferred fibers exhibit a hot air shrinkage value of less than about 10 percent, have a length of less than 3 inches, and a dispersion index of less than 5.

Abstract: Low shrinkage, short-cut polyethylene terephthalate fiber exhibiting dispersibility suitable for incorporation into wet laid non-woven products is produced through the use of steam-annealing. The preferred fibers exhibit a hot air shrinkage value of less than about 10 percent, have a length of less than 3 inches, and a dispersion index of less than 5.

Abstract: A for the production of polymeric fibers in the form of a tow includes drawing and heat setting, with and without crimping, in which the tow has a constant denier per inch during the processing. The process permits very large drawn tows to be produced having a thickness of at least 150,000 denier per inch of width during processing through the production equipment/apparatus. The production apparatus includes a conventional stacker, followed by drawing apparatus, followed by heat setting apparatus, and optionally followed by crimping apparatus. Positioning the stacker before the drawing apparatus allows very large tows to be produced using drawing and heat setting apparatus having rolls significantly shorter than is conventionally known.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat setting a traveling tow of synthetic filaments utilizing a high pressure dewatering nip roll mechanism to remove moisture from the tow prior to heat setting. The high pressure dewatering nip roll mechanism includes a pair of nip rollers exerting a pressure of between about 500 and 2000 pounds per linear inch of transverse nip contact on the traveling tow prior to the tow entering a heat setting apparatus such as a calender apparatus. Moisture content of the traveling tow is reduced to less than 10% moisture by weight and preferably less than 5%. Reducing the moisture content of the tow prior to heat setting reduces the energy required to heat set the tow and, contrary to the prevailing wisdom in the art, does not damage the unheat set filaments of the tow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steam-treating yarn, films, fibers, fiber tow and other polymeric articles is described. The apparatus includes a first orifice for generating minimum pressure areas and a second orifice to provide a sonic shock region operative to isolate the pressure in one chamber from the pressure in another chamber.