Producing Composite Strand, Filament, Or Thread Patents (Class 264/172.11)
  • Patent number: 10916384
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fibrous electrode and a supercapacitor including the same. In the fibrous electrode, a carbon nanotube sheet is spirally wound on a surface of an elastic fiber. Thus, the fibrous electrode may maintain a fiber shape, and an electrical connection structure in the carbon nanotube sheet may not be damaged by deformation of the elastic fiber. That is, the fibrous electrode may be reversibly changed to maintain excellent electrical conductivity. In addition, the fibrous electrode has a fiber shape having a diameter of hundreds of micrometers, and thus the fibrous electrode may be light and may have excellent durability and excellent life span characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY)
    Inventors: Seon Jeong Kim, Chang Soon Choi, Kang Min Kim
  • Patent number: 10615508
    Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition capable of providing a molded article that is excellent in its capability of shielding millimeter waves. A thermoplastic resin composition for a molded article having a capability of shielding millimeter waves, containing (A) a thermoplastic resin and (B) carbon long fibers having a fiber length of from 3 to 30 mm in an amount of from 0.5 to 5% by mass. A molded article obtained from the composition is excellent in its capability of shielding millimeter waves and can be used as a protective member for a transmitting and receiving antenna of a millimeter wave radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DAICEL POLYMER LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katayama, Koji Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10583090
    Abstract: The present invention provided for a novel process of forming silk fibroin gels, and controlling the rate of ?-sheet formation and resulting hydrogelation kinetics, by vortex treatment of silk fibroin solution. In addition, the vortex treatment of the present invention provides a silk fibroin gel that may be reversibly shear-thinned, enabling the use of these approach for precise control of silk self-assembly, both spatially and temporally. Active agents, including biological materials, viable cells or therapeutic agents, can be encapsulated in the hydrogels formed from the processes, and be used as delivery vehicles. Hence, the present invention provide for methods for silk fibroin gelation that are useful for biotechnological applications such as encapsulation and delivery of active agents, cells, and bioactive molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: David L. Kaplan, Tuna Yucel
  • Patent number: 10280940
    Abstract: The present application is concerned with a blading structure of a compressor of an axial turbomachine for an aircraft. The blading structure includes a wall, such as a composite internal shroud with an organic matrix, which is intended to radially delimit a primary annular flow of the turbomachine and which comprises a fastening socket. The structure additionally has a blade fastened in the fastening socket and extending radially with respect to the wall, and a fastening layer at the interface between the blade and the socket. The interface includes asperities hugging the fastening layer, so as to ensure anchoring by engagement of material in order to fasten the blade in the socket by bonding. The present application also proposes a low-pressure compressor with an internal shroud with sockets bonded to blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Cortequisse
  • Patent number: 10150088
    Abstract: Disclosed is a statistical copolymer that includes both zwitterionic repeat units and hydrophobic repeat units and a filtration membrane that contains a selective layer formed of the statistical copolymer. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the above-described filtration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventors: Ayse Asatekin Alexiou, Prity Bengani
  • Publication number: 20150123304
    Abstract: A nonwoven web material including fibers formed of a polyolefin and a polyester is disclosed. The fibers may include fine fibers produced by, for example, a meltblowing process. The polyolefin may be polypropylene and the polyester may be polylactic acid. The polylactic acid may be obtained and included by recycling scrap nonwoven material containing a polylactic acid component, hydrolyzing the polylactic acid component to reduce its viscosity, blending the hydrolyzed polylactic acid with a polyolefin resin, and melt-spinning the blended material to form fibers. A related process is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Ronald Thomas gorley
  • Publication number: 20150093572
    Abstract: A graphene fiber and a preparation method thereof, where the graphene fiber is a composite fiber of metal nanowire doped graphene fiber, and principal components of the composite fiber are graphene and metal nanowires, a mass ratio of metal nanowires is 0.1%-50%, the graphene is in a form of sheet, and both the metal nanowires and graphene sheets are arranged in parallel along an axial direction of the graphene fiber. The metal nanowire doped graphene fiber is a new type of a high performance multi-functional fiber material, which achieves a significant improvement in electrical conductivity of graphene fibers through doping of metal nanowires and meanwhile demonstrates excellent tensile strength and toughness. The metal nanowire doped graphene fiber has great potential application value in a plurality of fields, for example, it is used as a lightweight flexible wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Xiaosong ZHOU, Yan XU, Chao GAO, Zhen XU
  • Patent number: 8986808
    Abstract: An artificial turf is disclosed having a base and a plurality of synthetic fibers attached to and extending upward from the base, the fibers comprising a chlorin-based organic colorant and the colorant reflects infrared radiation in the range of 700 to 1,100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Milo George, Randolph S. Reddick
  • Patent number: 8951633
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bicomponent fibers comprising first and second polymer components present in distinct portions of the cross section of the filament, wherein the first polymer component of the filaments is partially crystalline and serves as the matrix component of the filaments and the second polymer component of the filament is amorphous and serves as the binder component of the filaments, and wherein the fibers exhibit a single melting peak as evidenced by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) trace. Also disclosed herein are methods of making bicomponent fibers and nonwoven fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fiberweb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Farell, Edward Keith Willis
  • Publication number: 20150037095
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a profiled section made of a thermally insulating composite material. A thermoset matrix is injected into an injection box where continuous natural fiber rovings circulate. The continuous natural fiber rovings and a portion of the thermoset matrix are pultruded. The natural fiber volume ratio is between 50 and 70% and a natural fiber mass ratio is between 55 and 75%. During the injection step, the ratio of natural fibers can be adapted so that the composite material has a conductivity of less than 0.30. The continuous natural fiber rovings can be twisted before the steps of injecting and pultruding. Preferably, during the twisting step, a number of turns per meter of between 10 and 30 is transmitted to the continuous natural fiber rovings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: INNOBAT
    Inventor: Michel Maugenet
  • Patent number: 8940132
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of structural hybrid thermoplastic composites where organic and inorganic fibers are well dispersed in a thermoplastic matrix. The process comprises defibrillating the organic fibers with or without the presence of surface active agents using a mixer at a high shear and at a temperature lower than the decomposition temperature of organic fibers and melting point of the surface active agents to separate the hydrogen bonded fibers and generate microfibers, followed by blending and dispersion of the organic fibers in the thermoplastic matrix to produce a fiber composite, followed by further blending and dispersion of the fiber composite with inorganic fibers at a low shear to get the moldable hybrid composite, followed by extrusion, injection or compression-injection molding. Low shear mixing maintains the inorganic fiber length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: Mohini M. Sain, Suhara Panthapulakkal, Shiang F. Law
  • Patent number: 8932501
    Abstract: The present invention concerns processes for reducing water in never-dried fiber comprising copolymer derived from the copolymerization of para-phenylenediamine, 5(6) -amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole; and terephthaloyl dichloride, the process comprising the steps of: (a) heating the never-dried fiber to a temperature of at least 20° C. but less than 100 ° C. until the moisture content of the fiber is 20 weight percent or less of the fiber; and (b) further heating the fiber to a temperature of at least 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Allen, Christopher William Newton
  • Patent number: 8932714
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particle diameter and a particle diameter distribution of emulsion particles during manufacturing of an emulsion dispersion is provided. The method includes causing two or more types of liquids substantially immiscible with each other to continuously and sequentially pass through net bodies. The net bodies are disposed in a cylindrical flow passage at intervals of 5 to 200 mm, and the number of the net bodies is more than 50 and 200 or less. Each of the net bodies is equivalent to a gauze having a mesh number of 35 mesh to 4000 mesh in accordance with an ASTM standard and has a surface that intersects the direction of the flow passage. An emulsification apparatus used for the method includes a feed pump for feeding two or more types of liquids substantially immiscible with each other; and a cylindrical flow passage to which the two or more types of liquids fed by the feed pump are delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Shoko, Yasuo Togami, Akira Takagi, Hideko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8920693
    Abstract: A method for the production of a fiber-reinforced, thermoplastic polymer, wherein at least one fiber strand is fed into an extrusion die, wherein the fiber strand is fanned out in the extrusion die, wherein the impregnation of the fiber strand with a polymer melt takes place in the fanned out state, and subsequently the fiber strand impregnated with a polymer melt is extracted from the extrusion die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Universität Kassel
    Inventors: Andrej Bledzki, Maik Feldmann, Adam Jaszkiewicz, Sebastian Ossadnik
  • Publication number: 20140332999
    Abstract: A method of separating strands of a slit web is disclosed. The method includes providing a slit web having a length in a machine direction and running the slit web in the machine direction onto a stretchable surface. The slit web includes multiple strands provided by a plurality of slits extending in a first direction not parallel to a cross-machine direction. The slit web is in contact with the stretchable surface for a path length in the machine direction, and for at least a portion of the path length, the stretchable surface is stretching in the cross-machine direction. The traction between the slit web and the stretchable surface during the stretching at least partially separates at least some of the multiple strands of the slit web in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A method of increasing a width of a polymeric netting is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Neal C. Rothwell, Peter J. Bugeja, Thomas J. Gilbert, Kristopher K. Biegler, Mark A. Peltier, Ryan M. Luepke, Steven J. Perron, Timothy J. Diekmann
  • Patent number: 8834780
    Abstract: A polymer fiber is formed by hydrodynamic spinning. Fluids are forced to flow through a conduit to form a laminar flow comprising three or more layers of generally coaxial fluid flows, at respective flow rates selected to define a cross-section of a tubular middle layer of the fluid flows. The middle layer comprises a cross-linkable polymer precursor. Another layer of the fluid flows comprise a cross-linking agent. The polymer precursor, cross-linking agent and fluids are selected to prevent substantial diffusion of the polymer precursor away from the middle layer, and to allow a portion of the cross-linking agent to diffuse from the another layer into the middle layer to facilitate cross-linking of the polymer precursor in the middle layer to form a tubular polymer layer in a polymer fiber. The polymer layer thus has a cross-section generally corresponding to the cross-section of the middle layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jackie Y. Ying, Min Hu, Rensheng Deng, Karl Schumacher, Motoichi Kurisawa
  • Patent number: 8808594
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a coform fibrous materials comprising the steps of supplying a first fiber forming stream comprising a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas to a two-phase flow nozzle, supplying a separate second stream containing at least one secondary material to the two-phase flow nozzle, combining the first fiber forming stream and the second stream to form a composite fiber forming stream and fibrillating the composite fiber forming stream into a coform fibrous web. Superabsorbent and filtration coform fibrous materials for filtration and produced using the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Verdex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Marshall, Michael Bryner, Gary Huvard
  • Patent number: 8800136
    Abstract: Insulated electrically conductive fibers or microwires of sizes on the order of 1 mil (25 microns) diameter, so as to be suitable for processing into yarns or multi-microwire bundles, for example, for incorporation into conformable fabric products or for use as wearable electronic circuitry are made by coprocessing a core of a lower-melting-point metal within a sheath of a higher-melting-point polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Pascale Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Willorage Rathna Perera, Gerald J. Mauretti
  • Patent number: 8802002
    Abstract: A method for making a bonded nonwoven fibrous web comprising extruding melt blown fibers of a polymeric material, collecting the melt blown fibers as an initial nonwoven fibrous web, annealing the initial nonwoven fibrous web with a controlled heating and cooling operation, and collecting the dimensionally stable bonded nonwoven fibrous web is described. The bonded nonwoven fibrous web shrinkage is typically less than 4 percent relative to the initial nonwoven fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, John D. Stelter, Ruth A. Ebbens, Sian F. Fennessey
  • Patent number: 8771570
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method for producing a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a host comprising the steps of: assembling a first preform, drawing said first preform into a first fiber, cutting said first fiber into a plurality of pieces, assembling said pieces of said first fiber into a second preform, and drawing said second preform into a second fiber. The host is made of a low thermal conductivity material such as a polymer or combination of polymers. The host can assume the form of a plurality of nanotubes which further reduces the host's thermal conductivity due to enhanced phonon scattering. The host can exhibit anisotropic thermal conductivity which reduces its thermal conductivity perpendicular to the direction in which it was drawn. The nanostructure-host composite can be cut into pieces and assembled into efficient thermoelectric devices for use in cooling or electric power generation applications. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nanotron, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan David Hiller
  • Patent number: 8753741
    Abstract: A fine denier poly(trimethylene arylate) spun drawn fiber is characterized by high denier uniformity. A process for preparing uniform fine denier yarns at spinning speeds of 4000 to 6000 m/min is further disclosed. The poly(trimethylene arylate) fiber hereof comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight of polystyrene dispersed therewithin. Fabrics prepared therefrom are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: W. Douglas Bates
  • Patent number: 8673192
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fabricating food items include extruding a first hot plastic food mass through multiple passages and co-extruding a second hot plastic food mass through a feed stem received in each of the multiple passages and through nozzles. Each nozzle includes a first portion in communication with the feed stem but not the passage and a second portion in communication with the passage but not the feed stem. The nozzles are rotatable in gearing relation with the drive gear of a servomotor. The co-extruded ropes are conveyed at a linear speed rate less than or equal to the discharge speed from the nozzles, cooled, and cut into individual pieces in the form of peelably separable strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N Weinstein, James M Olive, Peter A Huberg, Laurie Burgess, Thomas Leuhrs, Jennifer M Mcaab
  • Patent number: 8668854
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for producing nanofibers and non-woven nanofibrous materials from polymer melts, liquids and particles using a two-phase flow nozzle. The process comprises supplying a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas stream to a two-phase flow nozzle; injecting the polymer melt and the pressurized gas stream into a mixing chamber within the two-phase flow nozzle wherein the mixing chamber combines the polymer flow and pressurized gas into a two-phase flow; distributing the two-phase flow uniformly to a converging channel terminating into an channel exit wherein the converging channel accelerates the two-phase flow creating a polymeric film along the surface of the converging channel and fibrillating the polymeric film at the channel exit of the converging channel in the form of a plurality of nanofibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Verdex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Marshall, Michael Bryner
  • Patent number: 8652386
    Abstract: The present invention is a nanoparticle mixture or suspension or nanofluid comprising nonmagnetically sensitive nanoparticles, magnetically sensitive nanoparticles, and surfactant(s). The present invention also relates to methods of preparing and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, South Dakota Board of Regents
    Inventors: Haiping Hong, G. P. “Bud” Peterson
  • Publication number: 20140027944
    Abstract: A die and a method for impregnating fiber rovings (142) with a polymer resin (214) are disclosed. The die includes a manifold assembly (220), an impregnation zone, and a gate passage (270). The manifold assembly flows the resin (214) therethrough, and includes a plurality of branched runners (222). The impregnation zone is in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, and is configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The gate passage (270) is between the manifold assembly and the impregnation zone (250), and flows the resin from the manifold assembly such that the resin coats the roving. The method includes flowing a polymer resin through a manifold assembly. The method further includes coating at least one fiber roving with the resin, and traversing the coated roving through an impregnation zone to impregnate the roving with the resin. The roving is under a tension of from about 5 Newtons to about Newtons within the impregnation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Ticona LLC
    Inventors: Timothy L. Tibor, Timothy A. Regan, Aaron H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8545971
    Abstract: A multi-component article comprising a first component comprising a biodegradable polymer, and a second component comprising a polyolefin and a reactive modifier. A method of preparing a multi-layer film comprising coextruding first and second film layers, wherein the first layer comprises a polylactic acid and the second layer comprises a polyolefin and an epoxy-functionalized polyolefin. A method of preparing a multi-component fiber comprising coextruding a core component and a sheath component, wherein the core component comprises a polyolefin and an epoxy-functionalized polyolefin and the sheath component comprises a polylactic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fengkui Li, Tim J. Coffy, Michel Daumerie
  • Patent number: 8518178
    Abstract: Disclosed is: a single crystalline silicon carbide nanofiber having improved thermal and mechanical stability as well as a large specific surface area which is applicable to a system for purifying exhaust gas, silicon carbide fiber filter, diesel particulate filter having a high temperature stability and may be used in the form of nanostructures such as nanorods and nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Il Doo Kim, Seung Hun Choi, Seong Mu Jo, Jae-Min Hong
  • Patent number: 8490283
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow fiber spinning nozzle in which supply bores and a nozzle structure connected to these and having a mass discharge opening and a needle with a coagulation agent bore are formed in a base body. At least two plate-shaped bodies structured by means of micro-structure technology are joined together to form the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Keller, Jens-Holger Stahl
  • Patent number: 8470221
    Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube composite wire structure comprises the following steps. A supply unit, a collecting unit, and a wrapping unit are provided. The wrapping unit comprises a hollow rotating shaft, and a face plate mounted on the hollow rotating shaft. A linear structure is provided by the supply unit. The linear structure passes through the hollow rotating shaft and is fixed on a collecting unit. A carbon nanotube structure is drawn from a carbon nanotube array. The carbon nanotube array is loaded on the face plate. One end of the carbon nanotube structure is adhered to the linear structure. The face plate is rotated, and the linear structure is pulled along a fixed direction. As such the carbon nanotube structure is wrapping around the linear structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Wei, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8444895
    Abstract: Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: William Alston Haile, Scott Ellery George, Wesley Raymond Hale, Waylon Lewellyn Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8444896
    Abstract: Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: William Alston Haile, Scott Ellery George, Wesley Raymond Hale, Waylon Lewellyn Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8435908
    Abstract: Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: William Alston Haile, Scott Ellery George, Wesley Raymond Hale, Waylon Lewellyn Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20130099408
    Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent fibers that enable the nonwoven web to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent fibers will comprise a first component comprising a polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate of from about 100 to about 2000 grams per 10 minutes and a second component comprising a polymer composition having a melt flow rate lower than the melt flow rate of the first component. The first component comprises at least about 10% of a surface of the multicomponent fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventor: The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Patent number: 8398906
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for making a polymer-additive composite particle from a dope by jet spinning the dope to obtain a pulp, fibril or fibrid, wherein the solvent of the dope is selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N?-dimethylformamide, N,N?-dimethylacetamide, tetramethylurea, and 4 to 75 wt % of a composition consisting of 2 to 95 wt % of a para-aramid polymer and 5-98 wt % of a solid additive material, to a total of 100 wt %, and wherein the aramid polymer is dissolved in the solvent; or coagulating the dope by means of a rotor-stator apparatus in which the polymer solution is applied through the stator on the rotor so that the precipitating polymer-additive composite particle is subjected to shear forces while they are in a plastic deformable stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Teijin Aramid B.V.
    Inventors: Anton Johannes Josef Hendriks, Mirjam Ellen Oldenzeel, Johannus Maria Bergmans, Tetsuya Akamatsu
  • Publication number: 20120270111
    Abstract: Polyolefin woven and nonwoven fibers, filaments and fabrics made therefrom which comprise a melt blend which comprises (a) a polyolefin; and (b) at least one compound of the formula (I) R1-(hydrophilic oligomer) ??(I) wherein R1 is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 22 to 40 carbon atoms and the hydrophilic oligomer is a homo- or co-oligomer consisting of monomer units derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, epichlorhydrin, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethylene imine, caprolactone, vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate; and wherein the hydrophilic oligomer consists of between 2 and 10 monomer units, exhibit excellent durable wettability. The fabrics are useful in disposable diapers, training pants, feminine napkins, tampons, incontinence care products, wet and dry wipes, wound dressings, surgical capes, filter medial, battery separators and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: TECHMER PM, LLC
    Inventors: Sheng-Shing Li, Andrew J. Leggio, George H. Menzie, David Devore, John J. McNamara, TaHau Yu, Douglas W. Horsey
  • Patent number: 8246886
    Abstract: A method and system for aligning nanotubes within an extensible structure such as a yarn or non-woven sheet. The method includes providing an extensible structure having non-aligned nanotubes, adding a chemical mixture to the extensible structure so as to wet the extensible structure, and stretching the extensible structure so as to substantially align the nanotubes within the extensible structure. The system can include opposing rollers around which an extensible structure may be wrapped, mechanisms to rotate the rollers independently or away from one another as they rotate to stretch the extensible structure, and a reservoir from which a chemical mixture may be dispensed to wet the extensible structure to help in the stretching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nanocomp Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Lashmore, Robert Braden, Anastasios John Hart, John Welch
  • Patent number: 8241024
    Abstract: A system for forming a spun bond nonwoven web from extruded polymer filaments includes a spinneret including a plurality of orifices to extrude a plurality of continuous polymeric filaments, and a pressure quench chamber including a top located proximate and below the spinneret and bounded peripherally by surfaces. The quench chamber includes an ingress opening extending substantially across the width of a top of the quench chamber to receive filaments from the spinneret and a chamber exit nozzle extending substantially across the width of a bottom of the quench chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Perry Hartge
  • Patent number: 8225641
    Abstract: A self-cleaning humidity sensor based on Mg2+/Na+-doped TiO2 nanofiber mats is provided. Examples show the response and recovery characteristic curves for ten circles with the RH changing from 11% to 95%. The nanofibers are manufactured by mixing together a metal salt comprising titanium, a magnesium compound, a sodium compound, and a high molecular weight material to form a mixture, electrospinning the mixture to form composite nanofibers, and calcining the composite nanofibers to yield a TiO2 nanofiber material doped with magnesium and sodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Ce Wang, Hongnan Zhang, Zhenyu Li, Wei Zheng, Wei Wang, Changkun Liu, Bing Zhou
  • Patent number: 8211341
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to synthetic organic fiber pellets, methods for making such pellets, and methods of using such pellets for making fiber reinforced polypropylene composite resins. The synthetic organic fiber pellets include at least 80 wt % of a synthetic organic fiber chosen from polyalkylene terephthalates, polyalkylene naphthalates, polyamides, polyolefins, polyacrylonitrile, and combinations thereof, and from 2 to 20 wt % of one or more waxes. The synthetic organic fiber pellets are produced using a pelleting press process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Arnold Lustiger
  • Patent number: 8192677
    Abstract: A process is provided for extruding a partially crystalline melt-fabricable perfluoropolymers. The process comprises blow molding from a perfluoropolymer having polytetrafluoroethylene sub-micrometer particles dispersed therein. The perfluoropolymer composition is a core/shell polymer, with pelletized blend, a dispersion blend or a melt-mixed polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Munson Aten, Sharon Ann Libert, Heidi Elizabeth Burch
  • Patent number: 8178020
    Abstract: A fiber is produced comprising polymers of differing types which are not admixed during production. The differing polymer types are heated to the point of softening in a vertically-oriented crucible and a fiber comprising the polymers in positions corresponding to their positions in the crucible is drawn from an orifice at the lower end of the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Pascale Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Willorage Rathna Perera, Gerald J. Mauretti
  • Patent number: 8066922
    Abstract: In the production of elongate plastic profiles (10), which usually takes place by the pultrusion process, the cured plastic profile (10) emerging from a die (14) is pulled through the stationary die (14) by a take-off device. This process only makes it possible to produce straight plastic profiles (10). The invention envisages producing curved plastic profiles (10) by using a die (14) corresponding to the curvature of the plastic profile (10). For moving the cured part of the plastic profile (10) out of the die (14), it is provided that the die (14) is moved back step by step in relation to the stationary plastic profile (10) counter to the direction of production (19). In order that the plastic profile (10) remains stationary in relation to the die (14) as this takes place, it is securely held outside the die (14) by a holding means (20) during the moving back of the die (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas GmbH + Co. Technik + Innovation KG
    Inventors: Klaus Jansen, Dietmar Weidler, Marian Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8048513
    Abstract: This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Marin, Larry R. Marshall, Barbara K. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 8021584
    Abstract: Blending of thermoplastic polyester with fiber-forming polyamide in the production of melt-colored melt-spun fibers results in improved color strength and aesthetics, and dimensional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Fibers, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Studholme, Arthur Roth, Jr., Brendan Francis McSheehy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8017662
    Abstract: A process for producing a synthetic fiber composition with reclaimed post consumer carpet yarn, wherein face yarn is shaved from post consumer carpet using a shaving device to provide shaved face yarn, the shaved face yarn is reduced in size, contaminants are removed using mechanical screeners, the shave face yarn is melt filtered, and then fiber spun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Fibers, Inc.
    Inventors: George Taylor Hoover, Jr., Milton Keith Roark, Brendan Francis McSheehy, Jr., Matthew Benjamin Studholme
  • Patent number: 8003034
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a composite structure with an automatic placement head, through the use of a non-rotating tooling tablet having first and second substantially oppositely facing surfaces thereof, joined around the peripheries thereof by a side surface of the tablet, with at least one of the first or second surfaces forming a tool surface of the tablet. Layers of pre-impregnated fiber or tape are applied to the tool surface of the tablet by the automated fiber placement head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Tino Oldani, Daniel Jarvi
  • Publication number: 20110201242
    Abstract: Provided is a fiber for detecting a target, a method of preparing the fiber for detecting the target, a method of detecting the target in a sample, a fiber complex including the fiber for detecting the target, and a kit including the fiber for detecting the target. The fiber may include a polymer, a target detecting material, and a metal nanoparticle, wherein the target material and the metal nanoparticle are fixed to the polymer. The method of preparing a fiber may include preparing a composition that includes a polymer, a target detecting material, and a metal nanoparticle and spinning the composition to prepare the fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-hyun Hur, Jong-jin Park, Hyung-bin Son, Jae-do Nam
  • Patent number: 7998384
    Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric useful as a topsheet is produced from polypropylene filaments including a high level of reclaimed polypropylene, while maintaining a product quality, including superior formation, comparable to that obtained when using 100 percent virgin polymer. The spunbond nonwoven fabric is made with multicomponent filaments having at least two different polymer components occupying different areas within the filament cross section, and wherein one of the polymer components comprises reclaimed polypropylene recovered from previously spun polypropylene fiber or webs comprised of previously spun polypropylene fiber. In a specific embodiment, the filaments are sheath-core bicomponent filaments and the reclaimed polypropylene is present in the core component. The core of the bicomponent filament can be comprised of up to 100% reclaimed polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Fiberweb Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Darrell Gillespie, Daniel Deying Kong, Robert C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 7998375
    Abstract: Fiber-reinforced composite posts are produced having high strength and high radiopacity. In a method of manufacturing the fiber-reinforced composite posts, fibers are pulled through filled resin and heat is applied at various steps in the process to provide high strength and optimal radiopacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Pentron Clinical Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ajit Karmaker, Mike Karlak, Weitao Jia
  • Patent number: 7981336
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the production of a predetermined ratio of multicomponent fibers in combination with monocomponent fibers or other multicomponent fibers, preferably through a spunbonding process. After extrusion, these fibers can produce a fiber network that is subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric comprising multiple types of fibers. The multicomponent fibers within the network may be processed to remove one component by dissolution or to split the individual components into separate fibers. As a result, the fabric will be comprised of fibers with a range of diameters (micro- or nano-denier fibers as well as higher denier fibers) such that the fibers will not pack as tightly as in a homogeneous nonwoven fabric produced from one type of monocomponent or multicomponent fiber. The present invention additionally relates to methods for producing nonwoven fabrics with increased loft, breathability, strength, compressive properties, and filtration efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventor: Behnam Pourdeyhimi