Abstract: A continuous filament spun-laid web includes a plurality of polymer fibers within the web, the web having a first thickness and the web being free of any thermal or mechanical bonding treatment. Activation of the web results in at least one of an increase from the first thickness prior to activation to a second thickness post activation in which the second thickness is at least about two times greater than the first thickness, a decrease in density of the web post activation in relation to a density of the web prior to activation, the web being configured to withstand an elastic elongation from about 10% to about 350% in at least one of a machine direction (MD) of the web and a cross-direction (CD) of the web, and the web having a tensile strength from about 50 gram-force/cm2 to about 5000 gram-force/cm2.

Abstract: A continuous filament spun-laid web includes a plurality of polymer fibers within the web, the web having a first thickness and the web being free of any thermal or mechanical bonding treatment. Activation of the web results in at least one of an increase from the first thickness prior to activation to a second thickness post activation in which the second thickness is at least about two times greater than the first thickness, a decrease in density of the web post activation in relation to a density of the web prior to activation, the web being configured to withstand an elastic elongation from about 10% to about 350% in at least one of a machine direction (MD) of the web and a cross-direction (CD) of the web, and the web having a tensile strength from about 50 gram-force/cm2 to about 5000 gram-force/cm2.

Abstract: A continuous filament spun-laid web includes a plurality of polymer fibers within the web, the web having a first thickness and the web being free of any thermal or mechanical bonding treatment. Activation of the web results in at least one of an increase from the first thickness prior to activation to a second thickness post activation in which the second thickness is at least about two times greater than the first thickness, a decrease in density of the web post activation in relation to a density of the web prior to activation, the web being configured to withstand an elastic elongation from about 10% to about 350% in at least one of a machine direction (MD) of the web and a cross-direction (CD) of the web, and the web having a tensile strength from about 50 gram-force/cm2 to about 5000 gram-force/cm2.

Abstract: A nonwoven web product including ultra-fine fibers is formed utilizing a spunbond apparatus that forms multicomponent fibers by delivering first and second polymer components in a molten state from a spin pack to a spinneret, extruding multicomponent fibers including the first and second polymer components from the spinneret, attenuating the mulicomponent fibers in an aspirator, laying down the multicomponent fibers on an elongated forming surface disposed downstream from the aspirator to form a nonwoven web, and bonding portions of at least some of the fibers in the nonwoven web together to form a bonded, nonwoven web product. The multicomponent fibers can include separable segments such as islands-in-the-sea fibers, where certain separated segments become the ultra-fine fibers in the web product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing polymeric nanofibers utilizes a meltblown spinneret die having spin holes formed by grooves in plate(s) surface(s) of plate(s) where polymer exits at the plate(s) edge(s). The grooves are smaller than 0.005? wide×0.004? deep and have an L/D at least as large as 20:1. Flow rates of polymer through the apparatus are very low, on the order of 0.01 ghm or less. The method/apparatus produces may also be viewed as including A meltblown fabric having fibers mostly less than 0.5 microns in diameter is produced.

Abstract: Multi-component fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof are described. In one embodiment, a multi-component fiber includes a fiber body formed from a set of elongated members, and at least one of the set of elongated members includes a temperature regulating material having a latent heat of at least 40 J/g and a transition temperature in the range of 22° C. to 40° C. The temperature regulating material provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature. The multi-component fiber can be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and can be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber can be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.

Abstract: Multi-component fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof are described. In one embodiment, a multi-component fiber includes a fiber body formed from a set of elongated members, and at least one of the set of elongated members includes a temperature regulating material having a latent heat of at least 40 J/g and a transition temperature in the range of 22° C. to 40° C. The temperature regulating material provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature. The multi-component fiber can be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and can be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber can be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling airflow in a fiber extrusion process includes a fiber flow region between an inlet through which extruded fibers are received and an outlet through which the extruded fibers are discharged and at least one surface providing a boundary between the fiber flow region and another region, wherein the surface includes apertures permitting air to flow between the fiber flow region and the other region to control airflow at the outlet of the fiber flow region. The apparatus can include a housing which contains at least one chamber, with the surface forming a boundary between the fiber flow region and the chamber, such that the apertures permit air to flow between the fiber flow region and at the chamber. In a spunbond process, the airflow control device receives drawn filaments exiting an aspirator and deposits the filaments onto a web-forming surface with reduced air disturbance.

Abstract: A nonwoven web product including ultra-fine fibers is formed utilizing a spunbond apparatus that forms multicomponent fibers by delivering first and second polymer components in a molten state from a spin pack to a spinneret, extruding multicomponent fibers including the first and second polymer components from the spinneret, attenuating the multicomponent fibers in an aspirator, laying down the multicomponent fibers on an elongated forming surface disposed downstream from the aspirator to form a nonwoven web, and bonding portions of at least some of the fibers in the nonwoven web together to form a bonded, nonwoven web product. The multicomponent fibers can include separable segments such as islands-in-the-sea fibers, where certain separated segments become the ultra-fine fibers in the web product.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling airflow in a fiber extrusion process includes a fiber flow region between an inlet through which extruded fibers are received and an outlet through which the extruded fibers are discharged and at least one surface providing a boundary between the fiber flow region and another region, wherein the surface includes apertures permitting air to flow between the fiber flow region and the other region to control airflow at the outlet of the fiber flow region. The apparatus can include a housing which contains at least one chamber, with the surface forming a boundary between the fiber flow region and the chamber, such that the apertures permit air to flow between the fiber flow region and at the chamber. In a spunbond process, the airflow control device receives drawn filaments exiting an aspirator and deposits the filaments onto a web-forming surface with reduced air disturbance.