Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. The apparatus includes a mixing partition defining one or more openings therein that permit fluid communication between two fluid flow streams, at least one of which includes a fiber. The apparatus also includes an enclosed region surrounding at least a portion of the mixing partition. The enclosed region is adapted to provide an applied pressure to a fluid flow stream to urge the stream through one or more of the openings in the mixing partition. The apparatus also includes a receiving region designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: Described herein are peripherally enriched fibrous media. The peripherally enriched fibrous media are nonwoven media including at least one peripheral region that is enriched in one or more binder resins, and at least one bulk region that is significantly or substantially free of binder resin, the regions being present in a single fibrous media layer. Methods of making the media and performance advantages of the media in one or more filtration applications are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cylinder forming apparatuses for making nonwoven webs. In one embodiment, a cylinder forming apparatus has a first source configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream, and a second source configured to dispense a second fluid flow stream, wherein at least the first fluid flow stream comprises a fiber; an arcuate mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, the arcuate mixing partition positioned between the first and second flow streams, the apparatus defining one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams; and a cylindrical receiving region situated downstream from the sources and proximal to the first flow stream and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream. Methods of using the apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. The apparatus includes a mixing partition defining one or more openings therein that permit fluid communication between two fluid flow streams, at least one of which includes a fiber. The apparatus also includes an enclosed region surrounding at least a portion of the mixing partition. The enclosed region is adapted to provide an applied pressure to a fluid flow stream to urge the stream through one or more of the openings in the mixing partition. The apparatus also includes a receiving region designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cylinder forming apparatuses for making nonwoven webs. In one embodiment, a cylinder forming apparatus has a first source configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream, and a second source configured to dispense a second fluid flow stream, wherein at least the first fluid flow stream comprises a fiber; an arcuate mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, the arcuate mixing partition positioned between the first and second flow streams, the apparatus defining one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams; and a cylindrical receiving region situated downstream from the sources and proximal to the first flow stream and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream. Methods of using the apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-faceted family of non-woven webs that can take the form of a filter media, an adaptable forming process and a machine capable of making the range of media are disclosed. The filter medium can have a first surface and a second surface defining a thickness. The medium can comprise a region having a gradient. Such a gradient is formed by having a medium wherein the concentration of a fiber, a property or other component varies from one surface to the next surface. The gradient region of the media can comprise the entire thickness of the medium or can comprise a region that comprises a portion of the media thickness. The media are characterized by the presence of a continuous change of the fiber concentration or property within the region. A non-woven web can also be made comprising a planar fiber structure having a gradient. Such a web can comprise fibers having diameters that can range from 1 to 40 microns and a second fiber having a diameter that can range from 0.5 microns to about 5 microns.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for forming a nonwoven web are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more sources configured to dispense a first fluid flow stream comprising a fiber and a second fluid flow stream also comprising a fiber. The apparatus also includes a mixing partition downstream from the one or more sources, where the mixing partition is positioned between the first and second flow streams from the one or more sources. The mixing partition defines one or more openings that permit fluid communication between the two flow streams. The apparatus also includes a receiving region situated downstream from the one or more sources and designed to receive at least a combined flow stream and form a nonwoven web by collecting fiber from the combined flow stream.

Abstract: A shake mechanism is provided for shaking a breast roll at the wet end of a conventional glass mat machine. A method of producing a glass fiber mat is provided, the method involving combining glass fibers with a dispersant medium to form an aqueous slurry, and shaking the aqueous slurry to redistribute fibers from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration. A glass fiber mat production line is also provided, the production line comprising a slurry formation station for combining glass fibers with a dispersant medium to form an aqueous slurry, and a hydroformer for shaking the slurry to redistribute glass fibers from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration.

Abstract: A shake mechanism is provided for shaking a breast roll at the wet end of a conventional glass mat machine. A method of producing a glass fiber mat is provided, the method involving combining glass fibers with a dispersant medium to form an aqueous slurry, and shaking the aqueous slurry to redistribute fibers from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration. A glass fiber mat production line is also provided, the production line comprising a slurry formation station for combining glass fibers with a dispersant medium to form an aqueous slurry, and a hydroformer for shaking the slurry to redistribute glass fibers from areas of high concentration to areas of lower concentration.

Abstract: The invention comprises a wide range of pierceable and memory-recloseable septa cover for multi-well plates for PCR or other small sample well processes, where such seals are joined into an easily applied or removed sheet or otherwise joined means. A reaction chamber well comprises a liquid level portion at the bottom that contains the various levels of reaction liquid, a super-liquid portion comprising the gas volumes above the reaction liquid. In one form of the invention embodiments, the cover comprises a gas tight seal between the cover and the side of the well substantially above the liquid level, thereby forming the super-liquid space. The disturbance, pressure change and/or gas exchange in this small gas space results in a rather dramatic potential change in reaction or mixing results. The invention cover reduces each of these to a minimum not attainable in the prior art.

Abstract: Electrically conductive sealing elements include a resilient grommet portion and an electrically conductive portion imbedded in a portion of the grommet so as to provide EMI protection and/or an electrically conductive path from a workpiece to a panel into which the grommet can be inserted.