Abstract: Improved equipment and method for spinning filaments for nonwovens using an integral spinbank including one or more spinplates producing filament bundles separated by one or more central conduits for quench air. Embodiments include high velocity quench air driven into the central conduit or quench air blown or drawn in from outside the filaments into the central conduit. Means may also be provided for removal of undesired waxes and/or other condensates through a central exhaust removal using the central conduit. As quench air velocity is increased through the central conduit, the streams tend to improve total quench flow by deflecting opposing flows into a uniform stream. Other variations include division of quench air into flow zones that may be independently controlled and varying the angle of quench air flow and/or the spinplates to maintain separation distance between quench air and filament bundles.

Abstract: There is provided a process which comprises the step of subjecting a just produced spunbond web to a high flow rate, heated stream of air across substantially the width of the web to very lightly bond the fibers of the web together. Such bonding should be the minimum necessary in order to satisfy the needs of further processing yet not detrimentally affect the web. The fibers of the web may be monocomponent or biconstituent and the web should be substantially free of adhesives and not subjected to compaction rolls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing a nonwoven fabric to flakes which can be recycled into the spinning system of a meltblowing, spunbonding or carding process. The process according to this invention is a noncontact one, involving the use of a hot air knife. The hot air knife emits a jet, or stream, of heated air under pressure at a high flow rate. A nonwoven fabric is contacted with the jet of air and as a consequence, the nonwoven web is physically broken into small pieces, or flakes. The resultant flakes are brushed off the conveyor and collected in a reclaim hopper; they are readily reprocessable due to their small size.