Melt-spinning Patents (Class 264/172.17)
  • Patent number: 11299826
    Abstract: Provided is a tubular fabric that has a homogeneous structure along its outer circumference and excellent shape-stability and that is useful as hoses for transferring a fluid or powder or for protecting linear materials such as a wire, a cable, and a conduit, tubular filters, and medical base materials such as an artificial blood vessel. The tubular fabric includes a wall part that is woven by interlacing a warp yarn and a weft yarn and that has a double weave structure, a weft yarn in an outer layer and a weft yarn in an inner layer being not intersected with each other. The tubular fabric preferably has a circularity c of 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less, the circularity c being represented by the following equation of an outer diameter b perpendicular to an outer diameter a with respect to the outer diameter a, the outer diameter a being obtained by measuring a location corresponding to a fabric width A in weaving of the tubular fabric. Circularity c=a/b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Tanaka, Satoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10053576
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermoplastic resin for a household plumbing equipment includes: reacting an acid component including a terephthalic acid and a glycol component including a trimethylene glycol derived from a plant to form a poly trimethylene terephthalate resin as a condensation polymer of a formed glycol ester; and combining the poly trimethylene terephthalate resin with a polymethyl methacrylate resin in a mass ratio of 90:10-50:50 to form a thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin includes the polymethyl methacrylate resin and the polytrimethylene terephthalate resin in an amount of 80% or more by mass of a total amount of the formed thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaya Niu, Kazumasa Rokushima
  • Patent number: 9908087
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane fluid transport device is disclosed wherein the fibers are comprised of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the potting materials are comprised of fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer based materials. The potting of the device utilizes a compressed chemically resistant fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer film, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the PTFE hollow fibers, with high packing densities, and without the processing complexity of pre-melting, extruding, or chemical crosslinking of any polymeric adhesives. Furthermore, the PTFE hollow fibers can be treated with a fluoropolymeric solvent solution before the chemically resistant film is applied to enhance the adhesion of the PTFE fiber to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Markel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Jerman, Cornelius Brown, Jr., Kenneth Donald Hobbs, Carlos Ruano, Charles Edward Wolanski
  • Patent number: 9908088
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane fluid transport device is disclosed wherein the fibers are comprised of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the potting materials are comprised of fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer based materials. The potting of the device utilizes a compressed chemically resistant fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer film, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the PTFE hollow fibers, with high packing densities, and without the processing complexity of pre-melting, extruding, or chemical crosslinking of any polymeric adhesives. Furthermore, the PTFE hollow fibers can be treated with a fluoropolymeric solvent solution before the chemically resistant film is applied to enhance the adhesion of the PTFE fiber to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Markel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Jerman, Cornelius Brown, Jr., Kenneth Donald Hobbs, Carlos Ruano, Charles Edward Wolanski
  • Patent number: 9902897
    Abstract: A fiber formed from a resin that degrades in treatment fluid for hydrocarbon resource recovery, an oligomer component content of a resin forming an outer surface of the fiber being not greater than 1 mass %, and a birefringence of the fiber being not less than 0.02; a method for manufacturing a degradable fiber for use in well treatment fluid, the oligomer component content of a resin that forms an outer surface of an undrawn yarn obtained in a spinning step being not greater than 1 mass %, and a birefringence of a drawn yarn before heat treatment in a drawing step being not less than 0.02; and a well treatment method using the well treatment fluid containing the degradable fiber for use in well treatment fluid and a proppant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeo Takahashi, Hikaru Saijo, Mizuki Saito
  • Publication number: 20150126644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester-based fiber for artificial hair obtained by melt spinning a polyester resin composition. The polyester resin composition includes 100 parts by weight of a polyester resin, 5 to 40 parts by weight of a brominated epoxy flame retardant, and 1.5 parts by weight or more and less than 7 parts by weight of an antimony oxide. The polyester resin is at least one kind of resin selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene terephthalate and a copolymerized polyester containing polyalkylene terephthalate as a main component. The polyester-based fiber for artificial hair has aggregates of the brominated epoxy flame retardant that are dispersed in the polyester resin in the form of islands, as viewed in the cross section of the fiber parallel to the fiber axis direction. The present invention also relates to hair ornament products including the polyester-based fiber for artificial hair and a method for producing the polyester-based fiber for artificial hair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Higami, Tomomichi Hashimoto, Kohei Kawamura, Mika Yorizane
  • Patent number: 8999867
    Abstract: Melt-blown fiber having an average diameter of not more than 5.0 ?m, said fiber comprises at least 85 wt.-% of a propylene copolymer, wherein •said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer has/have a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) measured according to ISO 1133 of at least 200 g/10 min, •said propylene copolymer has a comonomer content of 0.5 to 5.5 wt.-%, the comonmers are ethylene and/or at least one C4 to C20 ?-olefin selected from the group consisting of 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene, •the propylene copolymer has <2,1> regiodefects of not more than 0.4 mol.-% determined by 13C-spectroscopy, and •said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer fulfill(s) the equation (1). wherein Tm [° C.] is the melting temperature [given in ° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Borealis AG
    Inventors: Henk Van Paridon, Bert Broeders, Wilhelmus henricus Adolf Sars, Joachim Fiebig, Nina Ackermans
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8936740
    Abstract: A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. To minimize premature reaction, the polylactic acid and polyepoxide modifier are first blended together at a relatively low temperature(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Tom Eby, Tyler J. Lark
  • Publication number: 20150017411
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Arnold Wilkie, James Brang, Jeffrey Haggard, Angel Antonio De La Hoz
  • Patent number: 8926877
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David Harry Melik, Kelyn Anne Arora, Eric Bryan Bond
  • 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: 8758660
    Abstract: A bicomponent fiber wherein (a) the first component comprises from about 90 to 100 wt. % poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and (b) the second component is a polymer composition comprising (i) poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and (ii) polymer containing polyalkylene ether repeating units. Yarn, fiber, fabrics and carpets comprising the bicomponent fiber, as well as the process of making the bicomponent fiber, yarn, fabric, and carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph V. Kurian, Gyorgyi Fenyvesi, Hari Babu Sunkara
  • 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: 8747093
    Abstract: A spinneret for producing nanofibers from a viscous liquid using electrostatic spinning in an electric field is described. The spinneret includes one or more narrow annular bodies radially centered about and axially spaced along a central axis. The annular bodies may be discs, rings, or coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Deakin University
    Inventors: Tong Lin, Xungai Wang, Xin Wang, Haitao Niu
  • Patent number: 8721319
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the production of superfine fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University to Texas System
    Inventors: Karen Lozano, Kamalaksha Sarkar
  • Patent number: 8691130
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Scott Ellery George, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Kab Sik Seo, Coralie McKenna Fleenor, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 8623950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method of polyurethaneurea elastic fiber, particularly a preparation method of high heat-resistant elastic fiber which retains unique physical properties of elastic fiber under the high temperature process. The polyurethaneurea elastic fiber of the present invention is characteristically prepared without using 1 functional mono-alcohol generally used to regulate the reaction speed and side-reaction during the prepolymer reaction to produce elastic fiber having excellent heat-resistance particularly for the dyeing processing or re-dyeing of polyester but using ethylenediamine alone as a chain extender for the polymerization. To reduce gel formation in polymer after the secondary polymerization and to regulate change of viscosity in the course of process, the ratio of the chain extender amine to the terminal group of prepolymer of the first polymerization is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tae Kwang Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ickgy Shin, Inrak Jung, Haedong Kim
  • Patent number: 8518311
    Abstract: A biodegradable, substantially continuous filament is provided. The filament contains a first component formed from at least one high melting polyester and a second component formed from at least one low melting polyester. The low melting point polyester is an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed by melt blending a polymer and an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in the formation of substantially continuous filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Aimin He, James H. Wang, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Gregory J. Wideman, Doris Palfery
  • Patent number: 8470916
    Abstract: A halogen-free flame retardant obtainable by polycondensation of phosphoric monomers with esterifying monomers is provided. The phosphoric monomer is an adduct of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phospha-phenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and ring substituted DOPO derivatives to unsaturated carboxylic acids. Monovalent and polyvalent alcohols are used as esterifying monomers. The flame retardant has an average molecular weight of more than 20,000 and an average degree of polymerization Pn of at least 55, and is preferably used for the production of polyamide fibers and polyester fibers by melt spinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Schill + Seilacher AG
    Inventors: Udo Glauner, Uwe Storzer, Holger Keller, Horst Rieckert
  • 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: 8398907
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Scott Ellery George, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Kab Sik Seo, Coralie McKenna Fleenor, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 8394305
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic cellulosic composition for preparing a cellulose-based masterbatch and/or a cellulose-based fiber with a networked structure. In one example, the thermoplastic cellulosic composition includes an esterified cellulose present in a range of about 80 wt % to about 95 wt %, polyethylene glycol present in a range of about 4.5 wt % to about 12 wt %, a tri-functional cross-linking agent present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 3 wt %, an initiator present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 0.15 wt %, and a dispersing agent present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Su-Chen Chen, Sheng-Jen Lin, Nai-Yun Liang, Chao-Huei Liu, Wei-Peng Lin
  • Patent number: 8388877
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Scott Ellery George, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Kab Sik Seo, Coralie McKenna Fleenor, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 8349232
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for the preparation of nonwoven spunbonded fabrics and various materials prepared using such spunbonded fabrics. The method generally comprises extruding multicomponent fibers having an islands in the sea configuration such that upon removal of the sea component, the island components remain as micro- and nanofibers. The method further comprises mechanically entangling the multicomponent fibers to provide a nonwoven spunbonded fabric exhibiting superior strength and durability without the need for thermal bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Stephen R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8309006
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a composite plant fiber material capable of achieving both of higher lightweight and better mechanical characteristics. The method of producing a composite plant fiber material having a structure wherein plant fibers (kenaf fibers, etc.) are bonded together via a thermoplastic resin (a polypropylene-based resin, etc.) and containing 30% to 95% by weight of the plant fibers referring the total amount of plant fibers and thermoplastic resin as to 100% by weight, which comprises, in this order, a spinning process for melt-spinning a thermoplastic resin (a polypropylene-based resin) containing an acid-modified thermoplastic resin (maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene, etc.) to give thermoplastic resin fibers; a fiber-mixing process for combining plant fibers (kenaf fibers, etc.) with the thermoplastic resin fibers to give a fiber mixture; and a heating process for melting the thermoplastic resin fibers in the fiber mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Kawashiri
  • Patent number: 8298464
    Abstract: A fabric consisting of a cellulose mixed ester fiber having an appropriate strength, fiber diameter, uniformity of fineness, and Tg, is used. A fiber consisting of 80 to 95 wt % of said cellulose mixed ester and 5 to 20 wt % of one or more water-soluble plasticizers selected from the group of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(ethylene-propylene) glycol, and end-capped polymers produced from them, is produced and said water-soluble plasticizers are removed by aqueous treatment to improve the heat resistance and strength, thereby providing a fabric having beautiful appearance achieved by color development properties and uniform fineness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromi Takarada, Yoshitaka Aranishi, Shoko Mihara
  • Patent number: 8282873
    Abstract: Methods for controlled electrospinning of polymer fibers are described. The methods include spinning a polymer fiber from a fluid comprising a polymer in the presence of an electric field established between a plurality of collectors and a jet supply device controlling the dispersion characteristics of the fluid by applying a magnetic field created by at least one magnet located after the point of jet formation. Different voltages are applied to at least two collectors of the plurality of collectors. At least one magnet, located between the jet supply device and at least one collector, creates a magnetic field substantially transverse or substantially collinear to an electrospinning jet stream. The magnetic field changes direction of travel of the electrospinning jet stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Victor Barinov, Kalle Levon
  • Patent number: 8277706
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Scott Ellery George, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Kab Sik Seo, Coralie McKenna Fleenor, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 8257628
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Scott Ellery George, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Kab Sik Seo, Coralie McKenna Fleenor, Allen Lynn Crain
  • 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: 8231378
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the production of superfine fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karen Lozano, Kamalaksha Sarkar
  • Patent number: 8188164
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic cellulosic composition for preparing a cellulose-based masterbatch and/or a fiber with an improved breaking elongation. In one example, the thermoplastic cellulosic composition includes an esterified cellulose present in a range of about 77 wt % to about 95 wt %, polyethylene glycol present in a range of about 4.5 wt % to about 15 wt %, a bifunctional reactant present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 3 wt %, an initiator present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 0.15 wt %, and a dispersing agent present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Su-Chen Chen, Sheng-Jen Lin, Nai-Yun Liang, Wei-Peng Lin
  • 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: 8066923
    Abstract: This invention relates to poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) biconstituent filaments, methods for making the same and end uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph V. Kurian, Richard E. Godwin, Jing-Chung Chang
  • Publication number: 20110230111
    Abstract: Polymer fibers having therein at least one infrared attenuating agent is provided. The infrared attenuating agent is at least substantially evenly distributed throughout the polymeric material forming the polymer fibers. In exemplary embodiments, the infrared attenuating agents have a thickness in at least one dimension of less than about 100 nanometers. Alternatively, the polymer fibers are bicomponent fibers formed of a core and a sheath substantially surrounding the core and the infrared attenuating agent is at least substantially evenly distributed throughout the sheath. The modified polymer fibers may be used to form insulation products that utilize less polymer material and subsequently reduce manufacturing costs. The insulation products formed with the modified polymers have improved thermal properties compared to insulation products formed of only non-modified polymer fibers. Additionally, the insulation product is compatible with bio-based binders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Charles R. Weir, Harry A. Alter, Yadollah Delaviz, Jeffrey A. Tilton
  • 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: 7989372
    Abstract: A molded respirator and method of making are disclosed, wherein the molded respirator is made from a porous nonwoven web containing meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein. The molded respirator may also contain at least one secondary filtration layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Seyed A. Angadjivand, John M. Brandner, James E. Springett
  • Patent number: 7989371
    Abstract: A porous nonwoven web and method of making are disclosed, wherein the web contains meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Seyed A. Angadjivand, John M. Brandner, James E. Springett
  • Publication number: 20110168980
    Abstract: A nanofiber composite including a nanofiber formed of a hydrophobic polymer, a nanowire formed of a conductive or semiconductive organic material that is oriented in the nanofiber in the longitudinal direction of the nanofiber, and an ionic active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Jae-hyun Hur, Jong-jin Park, Seung-nam Cha, Jong-min Kim, Chi-yul Yoon
  • Patent number: 7938999
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: a process for conveniently producing a fiber with high strength, regardless of molecular weight polymer composition, or the like of PHAs, which vary depending on origins such as a wild-type PHAs-producing microorganism product, a genetically modified strain product, and a chemical product; and the fiber with high strength produced through the process. The present invention provides: a process for producing a fiber, comprising: melt-extruding polyhydroxyalkanoic acid to form a melt-extruded fiber; rapidly quenching the melt-extruded fiber to the glass transition temperature of polyhydroxyalkanoic acid +15° C. or less, and solidifying the fiber to form an amorphous fiber; forming a crystalline fiber by leaving the amorphous fiber to stand at the glass transition temperature +15° C. or less; drawing the crystalline fiber; and further subjecting the crystalline fiber to stretch heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Tadahisa Iwata, Toshihisa Tanaka, Yoshiharu Doi
  • Patent number: 7935282
    Abstract: A method for producing microfine fibers having low resistance to deformation and high elasticity in accordance with the present invention comprises acts of: (a) providing polymer A and polymer B; (b) melting polymer A and polymer B to make a filament; (c) drawing the filament to make a staple fiber; (d) entangling the staple fiber to form a non-woven; (e) impregnating the non-woven with a impregnating agent; and may further have the acts of (f) impregnating the nonwoven with polyurethane; (g) coagulating the non-woven with dimethylformamide (DMF); (h) washing the non-woven with hot water; (i) impregnating the non-woven with a treatment agent; (j) abrading the non-woven to attain a split type mirofine fiber substrate; and (k) bonding a coating to the microfine fiber substrate. Therefore, the method can attain an artificial leather product having low resistance to deformation and high elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: San Fang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Chih Feng, Chih-Yi Lin, Gao-Long Yang, Szu-Wei Huang, Ming-Hsiung Liang, Jong-Shy Lin, Yuan-Chih Lan
  • Publication number: 20110089600
    Abstract: Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Scott Ellery George, Daniel William Klosiewicz, Kab Sik Seo, Coralie McKenna Fleenor, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 7914723
    Abstract: A thermal bonding pattern for nonwoven fabric possessing improved abrasion resistance while retaining softness, comprising a basket-weave pattern or other pattern having a transition area (2) equal to at least 10% of bonding spot area (1) in FIG. 3, more preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 50% of bonding spot area (1), and most preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 100% of bonding spot area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Kyuk Hyun Kim, Valeria G. Erdos, Smita Bais-Singh
  • Patent number: 7846544
    Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a polyester monofilament which shows a high dimensional stability and excellent effects of preventing peel-off in filaments, preventing pirn barre and preventing halation and has a high fineness, a high strength and a high modulus. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A core-shell type composite polyester monofilament comprising polyethylene terephthalate at a ratio of 80% by mol or higher, which satisfies the following requirements A to F: A) the intrinsic viscosity of the core component being 0.70 or above and the intrinsic viscosity of the shell component being from 0.55 to 0.60; B) the core component amounting to 50 to 70%; C) at least the shell component containing from 0.2 to 0.4% by weight of metal microparticles; D) the fineness of the monofilament being from 5 to 15 dtex, its modulus at elongation of 5% being from 3 to 4.5 cN/dtex and its elongation at break being from 20 to 40%; E) the free shrinkage of the innermost part under specific conditions being 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Teijin Fibers Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Nagamune
  • Publication number: 20100190406
    Abstract: A POM/POM thermoadhesive conjugate fiber is produced by providing two kinds of POM-based polymers A and B which satisfy 30<MIA wherein MIA is a before-spinning melt index (g/10 min) of the POM-based polymer A (conditions: 190° C., load: 21.18N (2.16 kg)), and TB>TA+10 wherein TA and TB are before-spinning fusion peak temperatures of the POM-based polymers A and B respectively, compositely spinning a first component containing the POM-based polymer A and a second component containing the POM-based polymer B such that the first component is exposed with an exposed length of not less than 20% relative to a peripheral length of the fiber, subjecting the spun fiber to a drawing treatment, and subjecting the drawn fiber to an annealing treatment at a temperature of from 60° C. to 110° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshiji Usui, Koji Nagai, Akihiko Kawanaka
  • Publication number: 20100175803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drawn PET fiber which has good dimensional stability and can be applied to a cap ply cord for a pneumatic tire, a PET tire cord, their preparation methods, and a tire including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ok-Hwa Jeon, Il Chung, Gi-Woong Kim
  • Publication number: 20100129634
    Abstract: The instant invention generally provides polymer inorganic-particulate composite fiber comprising a molecularly self-assembling material and an inorganic-particulate, and a process of making and an article comprising the polymer inorganic-particulate composite fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Leonardo C. Lopez, Scott T. Matteucci
  • Publication number: 20100078848
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spinneret and a method of spinning. The spinneret includes a first pore configured for extruding a first component of a multi-component fiber, a second pore configured for extruding a second component of the multi-component fiber, and a thermal insulator positioned between the first pore and the second pore and configured for preventing heat from the first component from damaging the second component. The first component and the second component have incompatible thermal resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicants: ARMARK AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, HILLS INC.
    Inventors: Peter D. GABRIELE, Jeffrey H. ROBERTSON, Jeffrey S. HAGGARD
  • Patent number: 7670677
    Abstract: A latently crimpable conjugate fiber is constructed using a first component containing an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer polymerized with a metallocene catalyst and a second component formed from a thermal plastic polymer having a melting point T2 higher than a melting point T1 of the first component, such that the first component is exposed with an exposed length of at least 20% relative to a peripheral length of the fiber, and which fiber has a single fiber dry heat shrinkage percentage of at least 50%, which is determined according to JIS-L-1015 (dry heat shrinkage percentage) at 100° C. under an initial tension of 0.018mn/dtex (2mg/d) for 15 minutes and a single fiber dry heat shrinkage percentage of at least 15%, which is determined under the same condition under an initial tension of 0.450mN/dtex (50mg/dtex) for 15 minutes. The latently crimpable conjugate fiber develops crimps and has thermal adhesiveness at a low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Daiwabo Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiji Usui, Shigeki Kawakami