Spinneret Patents (Class 425/378.2)
  • Patent number: 11173639
    Abstract: A forming mold for making polyvinyl chloride foamed wood-like slats includes an inlet, an outlet, and two main flow passages symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis. The main flow passages each have an inlet section and an outlet section. The inlet section of each main flow passage is connected to the inlet. The extension direction of the inlet section of each main flow passage respectively defines with the central axis an included angle therebetween. The sum of the angles of the two first included angles ranges from 45 to 52 degrees. The longitudinal cross-sectional width of each main flow passage gradually decreases from the inlet toward the outlets. In this way, the forming mold of the present invention can effectively improve production efficiency and can increase the stability of the product manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: UNION WINNER INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Tsung Pai, Kun-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 10422052
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing high strength synthetic fibers, and high strength synthetic fibers manufactured using the same. More particularly, the method involves a localized heating process by raising the temperature of a molten spinning fiber to a temperature higher than that of a pack body during a short period of time with no degradation through a heating zone located in the immediate vicinity of capillary in the spinning nozzle, so as to effectively control the molecular entanglement structure in the molten polymer without reducing the molecular weight and thus to enhance the drawability of the as-spun fibers, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the as-spun fibers, such as strength, elongation, etc., using the existing processes of melt spinning and drawing and thus enabling a mass production of a high-performance fiber at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wan Gyu Hahm, In Woo Nam, Seung Jin Lee, Do Kun Kim, Ki Sub Lim, Joo Hyung Lee, Gyu Dong Lee, Yeong Og Choi, Byeong Jin Yeang
  • Publication number: 20150111455
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus comprising a high speed rotating disk or bowl for nanofiber spinning from the rotational sheared thin film fibrillation at the enclosed serrations with the optimized stretching zone to produce the defects-free nanofibrous web and nanofibrous membrane comprising a nanofiber network with a number average nanofiber diameter less than 500 nm that yield the crystallinity higher than the polymer resin used in making the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: TAO HUANG, Thomas Patrick Daly, Zachary R. Dilworth
  • Patent number: 8727761
    Abstract: A die for an underwater cutting type pelletizer, the die including a die orifice part in which a thermoplastic resin is inhibited from solidifying within the die orifices. The die can have a reduced difference in temperature between the die orifice part and an inner periphery-side fixing part for fixing the die orifice part to a mixer/extruder, and can thereby inhibit the generation of thermal stress. The die is characterized by being equipped with a heating jacket for heating the inner periphery-side fixing part, the heating jacket being disposed within the inner periphery-side fixing part along an inner annular passage formed within either the die orifice part or the inner periphery-side fixing part or both along the boundary between the die orifice part and the inner periphery-side fixing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Iritani, Shin Iwasaki, Nobuki Nagami
  • 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: 8573959
    Abstract: The rotary spinning electrode of elongated shape, serving to carry polymer solution from reservoir of polymer solution or melt into electric field for spinning in devices for production of nanofibers through electrostatic spinning of polymer solutions or melts, including a pair of end faces (2, 3), which are arranged on the carrying mean (1), and between which are mounted the spinning members (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46), which are formed of a cord or wire (4). The spinning members (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) are in a skew position to an axis (11) of rotation of the rotary spinning electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Elmarco S.R.O.
    Inventors: Frantisek Syba, Miroslav Maly
  • Patent number: 8551390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide electrospinning devices, methods of use, uncompressed fibrous mesh, and the like, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The UAB Foundation
    Inventors: Ho-Wook Jun, Ajay Tambralli, Bryan Adam Blakeney, Derrick Dean
  • Patent number: 8469686
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a multifilament thread in a melt-spinning process, wherein a treatment channel is formed between a housing plate and an impact plate. The housing plate has a nozzle bore which opens into the treatment channel and is connected to a compressed-air connection. Together with the housing plate, the impact plate forms an inlet opening and an outlet opening at both ends of the treatment channel. In order to check the swirling effects which are produced on the thread by the eddying within the treatment channel, according to the invention the impact plate has a thread guiding element in the part piece of the treatment channel between the nozzle bore and the inlet opening, which thread guiding element is configured so as to protrude into the treatment channel in order to deflect the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile Components GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Stündl, Thomas Brandenstein
  • Patent number: 8342831
    Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus for spinning polymer fibers from a fluid delivered by a jet supply device, which apparatus comprises at least one collector of a plurality of collectors in electrical communication with an electrode of the jet supply device. Collectors are insulated from each other. At least one collector comprises a stretcher adapted to stretch polymer fibers. The stretcher is an integral part of at least one collector. A controller controls sequence and time duration at which collectors are in electrical communication with the electrode of the jet supply device creating a non-woven polymer fabric or weaving polymer fibers into a fabric. The electrospinning apparatus comprises a rotator adapted to rotate the stretcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Victor Barinov, Kalle Levon
  • 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: 8178015
    Abstract: A process and a device involves melt-spinning and cooling synthetic filaments. Therein, a plurality of filaments is extruded from a polymer melt and, after the extrusion, is guided into a cooling shaft for cooling. Within the cooling shaft cool air is blown, via a blower wall, into the cooling shaft, where, for cooling, the filaments are guided along the blower wall and at a distance from it. In order to obtain cooling adapted to the particular filament titer, the blowing onto the filaments can be set by selecting one of several operating positions, where to change the operating position of the blower wall it is moved in the direction towards the filaments or in the direction away from the filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wiley Scott Harris, Fumin Lu, Henning Rave, Holger Schöttler
  • Patent number: 8062567
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing organic fibers containing an inorganic component comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an inorganic spinnable sol solution; (2) mixing the inorganic spinnable sol solution, a solvent capable of dissolving the inorganic spinnable sol solution, and an organic polymer capable of being dissolved in the solvent to prepare a spinning solution; and (3) spinning the spinning solution to form the organic fibers containing an inorganic component composed of an inorganic gel and the organic polymer, is disclosed. The inorganic spinnable sol solution preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more, and the inorganic spinnable sol solution is preferably prepared from a material containing a metal alkoxide having an organic substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Watanabe, Takashi Tarao, Masaaki Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7951315
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fiber for artificial hair. The PVC fiber is manufactured by melt spinning a PVC resin composition with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle hole having a diameter D and a land length L, and a nozzle leading portion having a cone angle, and wherein a ratio of L/D is 1-3, a height of the nozzle leading portion is at least 4 mm, and the cone angle is 20°-90°. The resulting PVC fiber has an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.18-0.38 ?m and a maximum height of 0.5-3.5 ?m along a longitudinal direction, specified by JIS B 0601.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sakurai, Akira Moroi
  • Patent number: 7931457
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically an apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Johnson, Timothy Krause, Michael W. Hayes, Rajeev Chhabra, Savas Aydore, Olaf Erik Alexander Isele, Han Xu
  • Patent number: 7901195
    Abstract: A fiber making device, fiber making method, and apparatus which incorporates a series of two or more stacked, thin circular die plates, two end plates and two enclosure plates, where all of the plates cooperate to form a chamber having opposite ends and define a first end and a second end. The first end will receive material to be formed into fibers and the second end will receive a fiberizing fluid, although the second end could be used to supply a second fiber forming fluid to form composite fibers. All of the die plates have a central opening to receive fiber forming material, and at least one of the die plates has an outflow edge peripheral to the plate which will define a spinneret orifice, which is in fluid communication with said central opening, and which will allow the flow of material along a radial path through which fibers can be extruded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: SpinDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Fabbricante, Jack S. Fabbricante, Thomas J. Fabbricante
  • Publication number: 20100227149
    Abstract: Foamed materials, and methods and systems of producing the same. At least one of the methods includes forming a composite material including paper powder having a maximum particle size between about 30 to about 100 ?m 30 and being between about 20 and 40 weight percent (%) of the composite material, starch powder having a maximum particle size between about 5 to about 30 ?m and being between about 20 and about 40 weight % of the composite material, a polypropylene resin being between about 30.0 and 49.5 weight % of the composite material, and a vapor solution being between about 10 and about 20 weight % of the composite material; and forming the foamed material from the composite material by producing an abrupt expansion of vapor in the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Ki-Nam Koo, Shushi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7722347
    Abstract: Apparatus (100, 101, 102) and die cartridge assembly (18, 44, 45, 47) adapted for use with same for producing fibrous material (212). The apparatus (100) comprises a removably attachable die cartridge assembly (18) that adapts to conventional spunmelt equipment. The die cartridge assembly (18) is removably positionable beneath an extrusion body (10) for effecting formation of fibrous material by fibrillation of polymer films. The cartridge assembly (18) includes at least one polymer passage (19) communicating with a molten polymer source (10) for directing molten polymer onto at least one film forming surface (20, 28) defined by the cartridge assembly (18), and also defines at least one gas passage (222, 22, 30) communicating with a gas source (16) for directing pressurized gas (220) against the molten polymer (210) in the form of a film for effecting formation of the fibrous material (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Krause, Michael H. Johnson, Richard Ferencz
  • Patent number: 7654812
    Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kearns, Galen J. Rokey, Philip B. Wiltz, Anthony L. Bruning, Lafe N Bailey
  • Patent number: 7654813
    Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kearns, Galen J. Rokey, Philip B. Wiltz, Anthony L. Bruning, Lafe N Bailey
  • Patent number: 7637730
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a spinneret plate (1) for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric, having multiple non-round holes, which are similar to trilobal or multiarmed holes (3) in particular, for polymer flow outlet to produce filaments, in which identical holes are positioned in rows offset relative to one another. At least a first row (2) has a positional arrangement of the holes that differs from the positional arrangement of a second row (7) of rows through rotation of the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fiberweb Corovin GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Herda
  • Publication number: 20090232920
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the production of superfine fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Karen Lozano, Kamalaksha Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20090169667
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a spinning nozzle, a fiber drawing device and a water spray device. The spinning nozzle has spinnerets and a spinning solution is filled therein. The spinning solution includes a solvent and a fiber material. The solvent includes N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide, and the fiber material includes cellulose. The fiber drawing device is disposed under the spinning nozzle and has a gas flow generating device therein for generating a gas flow which is ejected from the top of the fiber drawing device and toward the bottom thereof. The fiber drawing device also has a slit on the top thereof, and the spinning solution from the spinning nozzle would enter the fiber drawing device through the slit. The water spray device is disposed at the slit of the fiber drawing device, and the spinning solution would pass through the water spray device before entering the fiber drawing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TAIWAN TEXTILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Huang, Chao-Chun Peng
  • Patent number: 7351052
    Abstract: The apparatus for producing a nanofiber includes a supply unit (110) for supplying melted polymer for fiber material, a spinning unit (122) having several radiation nozzles (122) to which first voltage having a polar is applied to discharge the polymer solution supplied from the supply unit in a filament form, a collector (130) spaced apart form the spinning nozzles in order to pile the filament from the spinning unit and applied to second voltage having opposite polar to the first voltage, and a control unit (140) applied to the first voltage having the same polar as the charged filament and extended from an end of the spinning nozzle toward the collector at least at both sides of the spinning unit in order to prevent repulsion and dispersion of the filament stream radiated from each spinning nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nanophil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-Won Chun, Jong-Su Park
  • Patent number: 7326043
    Abstract: Elevated temperature electrospinning apparatus comprises a pump upstream of or containing a resistance heater, means to shield applied electrostatic field from the resistance heater, and a temperature modulator for modulating temperature in the spinning region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Lak Joo, Huajun Zhou
  • Patent number: 7291003
    Abstract: A micromachined spinneret is disclosed which has one or more orifices through which a fiber-forming material can be extruded to form a fiber. Each orifice is surrounded by a concentric annular orifice which allows the fiber to be temporarily or permanently coated with a co-extrudable material. The micromachined spinneret can be formed by a combination of surface and bulk micromachining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Paul Galambos
  • Patent number: 7252493
    Abstract: A temperature control system for use in a fiber extrusion process includes a number of metering pump assemblies including inlets to receive at least two molten polymer streams from a supply source that is connectable to the system. A pump block disposed proximate the metering pump assemblies includes a plurality of flow paths extending within the pump block, where the flow paths are aligned to receive molten polymer flowing from outlets of the metering pump assemblies and to deliver the molten polymer to a spinneret. The flow paths are arranged in flow path sets within the pump block, and each flow path set includes at least one flow path and is spaced a selected distance from the other flow path sets within the pump block so as to facilitate independent control of the temperature of a molten polymer flowing through each flow path set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hills, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Johnston, Jeff Haggard, Arnold Wilkie, Ruey Chern, Mark Miller, Tony Owen, John Quinlivan, Ted Mire, Brent Soucier, Kevin Moschetti
  • Patent number: 7238018
    Abstract: A coil surrounding only the tip of nozzles of a plastic extruding die is provided. By passing a high frequency current through the coil to selectively heat only the tip of the nozzles. Further, in a plastic extruding die in which a high frequency current is passed through a coil provided around nozzles to heat the periphery of the nozzles, the coil is formed of a conductor tube through which a coolant is caused to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Oshita, Kenji Toda
  • Patent number: 7172399
    Abstract: An apparatus for spinning melt-spun filament yarns including a spin beam is disclosed. A polymer melt fed to a spin beam is distributed within the spin beam to a plurality of spinning cans mounted on the spin beam. To reduce costs to the manufacturer for ensuring ease of disassembly of the spin beam, as well as to avoid the need for disassembling the spin beam and having a furnace on hand, the spin beam is provided with an integrated or removably attachable regenerative heater by which the melt-conducting components of the spin beam can be heated to a regeneration temperature of between about 450 to 550° C. to pyrolytically remove the deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tilman Reutter
  • Patent number: 7160091
    Abstract: Device for the production of multicomponent fibers or of filaments, in particular bicomponent fibers, whereby a nozzle block assembly is provided. The assembly consists of a middle nozzle block and two outer nozzle blocks. Arranged in the nozzle block assembly are at least two inflow channels, each for a melt flow of one component. At the lower end of the nozzle block assembly is a nozzle with apertures for the outlet of the multicomponent strands. At least one inflow channel runs over at least a part of its length exclusively through an outer nozzle block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Michael Baumeister
  • Patent number: 7033154
    Abstract: A lamellar die apparatus for extruding a heated liquid into single or multiple component filaments. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates each having opposite side faces. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a liquid passage positioned therebetween for transferring the heated liquid. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a heating element passage therebetween. A heating element is positioned within the heating element passage for heating at least two of the plates. An extrusion die is coupled with the plurality of plates and communicates with the liquid passage for discharging the heated liquid as multiple filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, William Todd Simms, Matthew Duane Thompson
  • Patent number: 7033153
    Abstract: A lamellar die apparatus for extruding a heated liquid into filaments and directing air at the filaments. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates each having opposite side faces. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a liquid passage positioned therebetween for transferring the heated liquid. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have an air passage positioned therebetween for transferring the air. At least two of the side faces confront each other and have a heating element passage therebetween. A heating element is positioned within the heating element passage for heating at least two of the plates. An extrusion die is coupled with the plurality of plates and communicates with the liquid passage and the air passage for discharging the heated liquid as multiple filaments and for discharging the air at the filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, William Todd Simms, Matthew Duane Thompson
  • Patent number: 7018188
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for forming fibers. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a die assembly having a plurality of nozzles, one or more attenuation medium passages and a cover plate. The cover plate has a cover plate opening into which one or more of the nozzles may extend. The attenuation medium passages have a minimum cross-sectional area and the cover plate opening has a limiting cross-sectional area such that the minimum cross-sectional area of the attenuation medium passages is greater than the limiting cross-sectional area of the cover plate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael David James, Stanford Royce Jackson, Savas Aydore, Hasan Eroglu, Donald Eugene Ensign, Paul Dennis Trokhan, David Lee Moore, Edwin Arthur Stewart
  • Patent number: 6926508
    Abstract: A spinneret steam blanketing system for blanketing the face of a spinneret with gas. The system includes a steam distribution ring surrounding a filament array, where the steam distribution ring abuts the spin head and is removably mounted to said spin head. The steam distribution ring is removed and the face of the spinneret may be wiped clean, without the need for removing and replacing the spin pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Invista North America Sarl
    Inventors: Bobby R. Brady, Elmer L. Goshorn, Frank H. Overton, Ronald E. Steele
  • Patent number: 6902383
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for the preparation of a polymer solution includes a stirring device, an extruder connected to the stirring device, a cooling device connected to the extruder, and a warming device connected to the cooling device. The extruder is a fiber or membrane extruding die. Both the cooling device and warming device are vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Yamazaki, Tadahiro Tsujimoto, Yukihiro Katai
  • Patent number: 6858168
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming liquid spinning solution into a solid formed product whereby the solution is passed through at least one tubular passage (17) having walls formed at least partly of semipermeable and/or porous material. The semipermeable and/or porous material allows parameters, such as the concentration of hydrogen ions, water, salts and low molecular weight, of the liquid spinning solution to be altered as the spinning solution passes through the tubular passage(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Spin'Tech Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Paul Vollrath, David Philip Knight
  • Publication number: 20040265415
    Abstract: A device for producing filaments, in particular, from a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the filaments emerge from the spinneret openings of a spinneret plate. A distribution device is provided for distributing the molten polymer being supplied over a preliminary spinning width. At least one exchangeable distribution plate with several distribution openings that are distributed over the spinning width is arranged downstream of the distribution device. The exchangeable spinneret plate is arranged downstream of the distribution plate, wherein said spinneret plate contains spinneret channels that are distributed over the final spinning width. The spinning width defined by the distribution openings is smaller or larger than the preliminary spinning width, and the preliminary spinning width can be reduced or enlarged to the final spinning width with the aid of the distribution plate. The desired final spinning width can be adjusted by exchanging the distribution plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Michael Baumeister
  • Patent number: 6824372
    Abstract: A new fiber-forming method, and apparatus useful for performing the method, are taught in which extruded filaments of fiber-forming material are directed through a processing chamber that is defined by two parallel walls, at least one of which is instantaneously movable toward and away from the other wall; preferably both walls are instantaneously movable toward and away from one another. Movement means provide instantaneous movement to the at least one movable wall. In one embodiment, the movement means comprises biasing means for resiliently biasing the wall toward the other wall. Movement of the wall toward and away from the other wall is sufficiently easy and rapid that the wall will move away from the other wall in response to increases in pressure within the chamber but will be quickly returned to its original position by the biasing means upon resumption of the original pressure within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, William T. Fay
  • Publication number: 20040124551
    Abstract: An apparatus for spinning melt-spun filament yarns including a spin beam is disclosed. A polymer melt fed to a spin beam is distributed within the spin beam to a plurality of spinning cans mounted on the spin beam. To reduce costs to the manufacturer for ensuring ease of disassembly of the spin beam, as well as to avoid the need for disassembling the spin beam and having a furnace on hand, the spin beam is provided with an integrated or removably attachable regenerative heater by which the melt-conducting components of the spin beam can be heated to a regeneration temperature of between about 450 to 550° C. to pyrolytically remove the deposits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Tilman Reutter
  • Patent number: 6737009
    Abstract: A system and process for producing spunbond nonwoven fabric in which two or more polymeric components are separately melted and are separately directed through a distribution plate configured so that the separate molten polymer components combine at a multiplicity of spinnerette orifices to form filaments containing the two or more polymer components. Multicomponent filaments are extruded from the spinnerette orifices into a quench chamber where quench air is directed from a first independently controllable blower and into contact with the filaments to cool and solidify the filaments. The filaments and the quench air are directed into and through a filament attenuator and the filaments are pneumatically attenuated and stretched. The filaments are directed from the attenuator into and through a filament depositing unit and are deposited randomly upon a moving continuous air-permeable belt to form a nonwoven web of substantially continuous filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Taylor, Robert C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6736624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spinning device in which liquid polymer is guided through a polymer line with a first heating jacket to a spinning pump with a second heating jacket. From said spinning pump, the polymer is transported through several lines to spinning packets and extruded through spinnerts to form filaments. The lines that are connected downstream of the spinning pump, the spinning packets and the spinnerets are located in at least one spinning housing through which heating fluid flows. There is a distance of 5 mm between the spinning housing through which the heating fluid flows and the first and second heating jackets and the spinning pump, to obtain thermal decoupling. According to a method for heating the spinning device, vaporous heating fluid is guided out of a first reservoir into the spinning housing, and heating fluid is guided out of a second reservoir into the first and/or second heating jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Tietze, Heinz-Dieter Beeck, Thomas Gries, Werner Mrose, Richard Prehler
  • Patent number: 6716014
    Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus for spinning a synthetic yarn, wherein the yarn is formed by combining a plurality of filaments and wound to a package by means of a takeup device downstream of the spinning apparatus. Downstream of the spinneret, an inlet cylinder with a gas-permeable wall and a cooling tube are arranged. The cooling tube connects to a suction device such that an air stream forms in the cooling tube in the direction of the advancing yarn. This air stream assists the advance of the filaments and leads to a delayed cooling. To ensure adequate cooling of the filaments within the cooling zone, an air supply device is provided for generating an additional cooling air stream which flows in the axial direction of the cooling tube for cooling the filaments downstream of the inlet to the cooling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schäfer, Dieter Wiemer, Detlev Schulz, Hansjörg Meise, Ulrich Enders, Hans-Gerhard Hutter, Peter Senge, Roland Nitschke, Gerhard Müller
  • Patent number: 6712592
    Abstract: A spinning apparatus for melt spinning a synthetic multifilament yarn, which includes a spin head having a plurality of narrowly spaced apart spin packs with spinnerets, through the nozzle bores of which the filaments are extruded. Downstream of the spinnerets, the filaments advance through cooling tubes, which connect to an air stream generator that produces an air stream in the direction of the advancing yarn. The cooling tubes are mounted for movement to a lowered servicing position, and sealing units are provided for connecting the cooling tubes to the spin head when in the raised operative position. The sealing units form a separating plane arranged on the side of the spin head and a separating plane arranged on the side of the cooling tube, and the separating plane on the spin head side is located on the spin pack. A very compact arrangement of the spin head and the cooling tubes is thereby enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Bernd Faulenbach, Detlev Schulz
  • Patent number: 6709623
    Abstract: Improvements to processes and equipment for the manufacture of nonwoven webs useful in numerous applications including personal care, protective apparel, and industrial products. The fiber and/or filaments used to form the nonwoven fabric are deposited on a forming surface in a controlled orientation using application of an electrostatic charge to the fibers and/or filaments in combination with directing them to an electrode deflector plate while under the influence of the charge. The plate may be made up of teeth with a separation and angle orientation that are selected in accordance with the desired arrangement of the fibers and/or filaments in the nonwoven web. As a result, properties of the web such as relative strengths in the machine direction and cross-machine direction can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan David Haynes, Matthew Boyd Lake, Hannong Rhim
  • Patent number: 6705850
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a fiber from a biocompatible biopolymer includes a fiber-formation tube that defines a bore extending generally vertically from an upper end to a lower end. Coagulation fluid enters the tube through a fluid inlet coupled to its upper end and establishes a laminar flow of coagulation fluid within the tube. A spinneret introduces a stream of liquid biopolymer into the laminar flow of coagulation fluid so that the stream is surrounded and swept downstream by the coagulation fluid as it coagulates into a biopolymer fiber. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid surrounding the biopolymer stream maintains the shape of the stream so that the resulting fiber is homogeneous in both geometry and structure. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid also prevents the resulting fiber from contacting the inner wall of the fiber-formation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: TEI Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Fofonoff
  • Patent number: 6705852
    Abstract: There is provided a melt spinning apparatus capable of reducing the unevenness of fineness of a yarn. The nozzles of the spinning plate are arranged annular in at least one circle, and a cylindrical filter is disposed at an exit of a cooling wind in the cooling device so as to enclose around a spun yarn discharged from the spinning plate. The annular diameter of the nozzles is from no less than 0.6 times to no more than one time of the internal diameter of the cylindrical filter, and the flow velocity of the cooling wind blown from the cylindrical filter is distributed gradually higher according to the downstream of the spun yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Toray Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Fujii, Takashi Iwade, Makoto Nishioji, Masamichi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040012116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for melting a polymer granulate on a melt element to enable the melted granulates to be spun. In order to allow the granulate to melt in an energetically viable manner, without high thermal or mechanical strain, a melt element which is conically tapered towards the openings on the underside of said melt element is used. The spherical particles thereof are introduced into said openings in the form of a granulate with an average diameter of D3, having a ratio to the entrance-side diameter D1 of the opening of 2*D3≧D1≧D3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Theodor Jurgens, Rudolf Geier
  • Patent number: 6652255
    Abstract: A cooling system for filament bundles, which are spun from polymer melt by at least two spinneret units (1) disposed one beside the other and are drawn off by a draw-off system (17), the filament bundles (3a, 3) being cooled in a three-part shaft (A, B, C) by an equidirectional air stream, and the cross-section of the individual shaft parts (A and B) tapering such that the flow rate of the air increases approximately to the same extent as the draw-off speed of the filament bundles (3a, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz-Dieter Beeck
  • Publication number: 20030173702
    Abstract: The present invention is relative to a melt spinning apparatus for melt spinning a biodegradable polymer material. The biodegradable polymer material is melted by a melt mechanism (4) including a screw (16) which is mounted in a vertically mounted cylinder (8) coaxially with the cylinder (8) and which is rotationally driven by a rotational driving mechanism (7). The screw includes at least one turn of a helical groove (17) on its peripheral surface. The biodegradable polymer material being melted in this way is discharged in the vertical direction from a discharge opening of a nozzle (10) mounted coaxially on the cylinder (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Keiji Igaki, Hideki Yamane
  • Patent number: 6616438
    Abstract: Continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of a polycaprolactam includes forming a reaction mixture by bringing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator into contact with one another, and then subjecting the reaction mixture to anionic polymerization reaction conditions in the reactor zone to obtain a molten polycaprolactam. The molten polycaprolactam is the directly (i.e., without intermediate solidification) transferred to, and extruded through, a fiber-forming orifice of a spinneret to form a fiber thereof. A spinneret zone downstream of the reactor zone thus receives the molten polycaprolactam directly from the reactor zone and forms a fiber therefrom by extruding it through the spinneret's fiber-spinning orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Dominick A. Burlone, Matthew B. Hoyt, Charles F. Helms, Jr., John A. Hodan, Richard Kotek, Carol W. Morgan, Randall A. Sferrazza, Fang A. Wang, Otto M. Ilg, Terry D. Roberts, Ronald G. Morrow
  • Patent number: RE39399
    Abstract: A segmented die assembly comprises a plurality of side-by-side and separate units. Each die unit, includes a manifold segment and a die module mounted thereon. The manifold segments are interconnected and function to deliver process air and polymer melt to the modules. Each module including a nozzle through which the polymer melt is extruded forming a row of filament(s). The filaments from the array of modules are deposited on a substrate or collector. The die assembly is preferably used to apply a hot melt adhesive to a substrate, but also may be used to produce meltblown webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Martin A. Allen