Patents by Inventor Stefan Zikeli

Stefan Zikeli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040021246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method as well as a system for extruding continuously molded bodies for producing filaments or staple fibers from an extrusion solution, such as a cellulose solution containing water, cellulose and tertiary amine oxide such as N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. In comparison with the methods known from the prior art, profitability can be increased in the production of continuously molded bodies (3) if the extrusion rate v is set to a value v=B·T0.33·10,000·(1/r2). In a system, profitability can be enhanced if the number r of rows is r=[(B/v)·10,000·T0.33]1/2. T is here the fiber titer in T dtex, v the extrusion rate in m/min, r the number of the rows of extrusion duct orifices (12), and B an operational parameter which is not more than 4 and at least 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Patent number: 6644845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a buffer tank as is substantially used for ensuring a constant supply of the spinning machine with a polymer melt in spinning machines. To this end the buffer tank is provided with a compensation chamber whose volume is variable in response to a pressure prevailing in the polymer melt and to a volume flow variation. The polymer melt flows from a polymer melt entry opening to a polymer melt exit opening through the compensation chamber. It is the object of the present invention to make the flow through the compensation chamber uniform. The residence time of the polymer melt in the compensation chamber shall thereby be prevented from having a wide range, the latter resulting in an irregular quality of the yarns produced by the spinning machine because of the time-dependent, mechanical and chemical properties of the polymer melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Zimmer A.G.
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Michael Longin, Friedrich Ecker
  • Publication number: 20030193109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a continuous moulding (11) making use of an extrusion solution containing preferably water, cellulose and a tertiary amine oxide. The extrusion solution is extruded through an extrusion-channel opening (10) so as to form a continuous moulding. The continuous moulding is conducted through an air gap (12) in which it is drawn. In order to increase the non-looping property and in order to reduce the fibrillation tendency, the present invention is so conceived that the mean acceleration and/or the mean heat flow density are controlled in accordance with predetermined formulae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Publication number: 20030183274
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid conduit piece (8) for passing therethrough a spontaneously exothermic working fluid such as a synthetic polymer, a cellulose derivative and a solution on the basis of cellulose, water and amino oxide, said fluid conduit piece comprising a working fluid zone (9) through which said working fluid flows. The aim of the invention is to prevent the fluid conduit piece and other fluidic devices from being damaged in the event of a spontaneous exothermic reaction in the working fluid. To this end, the fluid conduit piece is provided with an anti-rupture device (1) for the purpose of pressure relief. Said anti-rupture device has a pressure equalizing volume (7) that, once a predetermined rupture pressure is exceeded, can be converted from a normal operation state in which the pressure equalizing volume is separated from the working fluid zone into a rupture state in which the pressure equalizing volume is linked with the working fluid zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Publication number: 20030186611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a biologically degradable polymer and a material from sea plants and/or shells of sea animals or at least two components selected from the group consisting of saccharides and the derivatives thereof, proteins, amino acids, vitamins and metal ions. The invention additionally relates to a molded article comprising said polymer composition. Said molded article may be used packaging material or fibrous material, in the form of fibrous material as mixing component for the production of yarns, and in the form of fibrous material for the production of nonwoven fabrics or woven fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Thomas Endl, Michael Gert Martl
  • Publication number: 20030168762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a continuously molded body (11) from an extrusion solution preferably containing water, cellulose and a tertiary amine. The extrusion solution is extruded through an extrusion duct orifice (10) to obtain a continuously molded body. The continuously molded body is passed through an air gap (12) in which it is stretched. To increase the loop strength and to reduce the tendency to fibrillate, the mean acceleration and/or the mean heat flow density are controlled according to the invention in accordance with predetermined formulae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Publication number: 20030160348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing extruded, cellulosic continuous shaped bodies from an extrusion solution containing cellulose, water and tertiary amino-oxide. In order to improve the textile properties of the extruded continuous shaped bodies with regard to the prior art, the invention provides that the continuous shaped body (5) is conveyed, with essentially no tensile stress, on a conveying device (11) between an extrusion nozzle opening and a take-off unit (24). To this end, the speed of conveyance of the interconnected conveying device (11) is preferably less than the extrusion rate and less than the take-off rate of the take-off unit (24). By employing these measures, the textile properties such as loop strength and tendency to fibrillate can be considerably improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Publication number: 20030155673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning head (8) for spinning a spinning dope, which is provided with a tubular, thin-walled spinning capillary (7) having a discharge opening (94). The spinning dope used is e.g. a mixture of cellulose, tertiary amine oxide and water. In order to reduce the fibrillation tendency of the fibres spun by means of the spinning head and in order to increase the non-looping property, the present invention is so conceived that the spinning capillary (7) is heated directly close to the discharge cross-section (94). By means of this simple measure, it is possible to reduce the fibrillation tendency and to increase the non-looping property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Patent number: 5984655
    Abstract: Spinning apparatus for carrying out a dry/wet-spinning process includes a spinneret for extruding filaments, a blowing device whereby the extruded filaments may be cooled immediately after being delivered from the spinning holes, a container containing spinning bath liquid, and means for bundling the extruded filaments provided in the spinning bath liquid. Preferably, the same means serves both for bundling and diverting the extruded filaments and is non-rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Schwenninger, Friedrich Ecker, Wilhelm Feilmair, Christoph Schrempf, Heinrich Firgo, Stefan Zikeli, Ernest Rauch
  • Patent number: 5968434
    Abstract: To prepare cellulose mouldings, a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine-oxide is moulded in a hot state and the moulded solution is introduced into a precipitation bath in order to precipitate the contained cellulose, wherein the hot moulded solution is cooled before introduction into the precipitation bath. Cooling occurs immediately after the moulding process and preferably consists of blowing air horizontally on to the cellulose moulding. The process according to the invention allows spinning of the cellulose solution with a high fiber density without the spun fibers sticking together after emerging from the spinneret. In spite of the high fiber density, it furthermore allows the use of a long air gap between the spinneret and the precipitation bath, by which means sufficient time is generated in the spinning process to affect the textile properties of the fibers by drawing at the die (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Ernst Rauch, Hermann Koberger, Friedrich Ecker, Hartmut Ruf, Raimund Jurkovic, Franz Schwenninger
  • Patent number: 5921675
    Abstract: A method for keeping and delivering a homogeneous suspension of shredded cellulose in an aqueous amine oxide is provided using a horizontal cylindrical vessel including a conveyor screw which is parallel to and partially coextensive with the stirring elements in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker, Ulrich Moderl
  • Patent number: 5890504
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for transporting a thermally unstable viscous mass through a pipe having a predetermined breaking point to release excess pressure, which predetermined breaking point breaks when the excess pressure is reached, the excess pressure thus being released, and is characterized in that the predetermined breaking point is provided in the interior of the pipe, provided that the predetermined breaking point is not provided as a portion of the inner wall of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Klaus Weidinger, Friedrich Ecker, Michael Longin
  • Patent number: 5826978
    Abstract: A device for controlling pressure in a flowing viscous mass includes an inlet, a guiding element having a receiving capacity for the mass flowing from the inlet, a piston movable within the guiding element, and a receptacle which telescopically slides over the inlet when the piston moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker, Ernst Rauch, Arnold Nigsch
  • Patent number: 5798125
    Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of cellulose fibers from a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide includes a spinneret having a multiplicity of spinning holes arranged essentially in a ring-shape. An inlet for cooling gas is positioned in the center of the ring-shape arrangement of the spinning holes and immediately downstream of the spinning holes. The inlet comprises a tube having a baffle plate at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Ernst Rauch, Hermann Koberger, Friedrich Ecker, Hartmut Ruf, Raimund Jurkovic, Franz Schwenninger
  • Patent number: 5794642
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for transporting a thermally unstable viscous mass through pipes and is characterized in that(a) during transportation, the mass is divided into X.sub.1 partial flows T.sub.1, X.sub.1 being calculated according to the relationX.sub.1 =Q.sup.(N-1), (I)wherein Q and N indicate positive integers independent from each other, and(b) the viscous mass in the partial flows is transported at the same rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Michael Longin, Friedrich Ecker
  • Patent number: 5755318
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a device for the continuous delivery of shredded materials exhibiting low flowability, particularly shredded cellulose materials, characterized in: (A) a receptacle for the shredded material to be delivered, said receptacle having an inlet and an outlet and whereto shredded material is delivered by means of an inlet screw, (B) a discharge arm provided in the receptacle and being arranged rotatably, which discharge arm transports the material present in the receptacle towards the outlet by means of rotation, (C) an outlet pit joined to the outlet receiving the material delivered to the outlet by the discharge arm, (D) an outlet screw protruding into the outlet pit and discharging the material delivered to the outlet pit (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker, Ulrich Moderl
  • Patent number: 5698151
    Abstract: To prepare cellulose fibres, a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine-oxide is shaped in hot condition to give filaments, the filaments are cooled and then introduced into a precipitation bath in order to precipitate the dissolved cellulose, whereby the shaped solution is exposed to an essentially laminar gas stream (FIG. 2a) for cooling before introduction into the precipitation bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker, Franz Schwenninger, Raimund Jurkovic, Hartmut Ruf
  • Patent number: 5656224
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for the production of a suspension of cellulose in a liquid, aqueous tertiary amine-oxide, wherein shredded cellulose is mixed with the liquid, aqueous tertiary amine-oxide, said process comprising:(A) contacting the shredded cellulose with the liquid, aqueous tertiary amine-oxide, a first mixture being prepared, and(B) spreading this first mixture mechanically as a layer on a surface and transporting it along this surface while intensively being mixed, until a homogeneous suspension is produced which is removed from the surface, wherein(C) measures (A) and (B) are carried out continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Peter Hinterholzer
  • Patent number: 5650112
    Abstract: The spinneret according to the invention is especially suitable for spinning cellulose solutions and has a die body which is essentially rotationally symmetrical having an inlet in its centre for cooling gas, an inlet for cellulose solutions, an annular deep-drawn spinning insert of precious metal with spinning holes wherein the spinning insert is designed pan-shaped in cross-section, and a baffle plate to deflect the cooling gas stream through the cellulose filaments which are extruded from the spinning holes, so that the cooling gas stream strikes the extruded cellulose filaments essentially at right angles. The spinning holes in the spinning insert are uniformly spaced from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker, Ernst Rauch
  • Patent number: 5626810
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a shapeable solution of cellulose in an aqueous tertiary amine-oxide from comminuted cellulose. The process includes introducing previously comminuted cellulose material into an aqueous solution of a tertiary amine-oxide to prepare an initial suspension, subjecting the initial suspension to high-consistency milling to further break-up the cellulose material to obtain a second suspension, and converting the second suspension into a shapeable solution of cellulose by heating under reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Peter Hinterholzer