Single Inlet, Plural Shaping Orifices Patents (Class 425/464)
  • Patent number: 6861025
    Abstract: Melt blown nonwoven webs are formed by supplying attenuating fluid to a meltblowing die through an attenuating fluid distribution passage whose distribution characteristics can be changed while the die and manifold are assembled. By adjusting the distribution characteristics of the passage, the mass flow rate of attenuating fluid to channels in the meltblowing die and the temperature of the attenuating fluid at the die outlets can be made more uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stanley C. Erickson, James C. Breister
  • 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: 6833104
    Abstract: A device and method for spinning polymer fibers utilizes one or more independent sources of polymer materials, pumps for feeding polymer material from each of the sources, and a series of distribution plates with surface grooves, through holes and/or slots together defining separated distribution paths, each of which receives polymer material from one of said independent sources. The surface grooves are defined to a depth less than the thickness of the distribution plate. At least one distribution plate contains spinneret orifices defined by outlet surface grooves extending from the distribution path to the edge of that plate, whereby fibers are extruded from the spinneret orifices edgewise from the plate. The spinneret orifices may be defined by overlayed outlet surface grooves or slots defined in abutting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Hills, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Berger
  • Patent number: 6830715
    Abstract: Method and device for producing elastane threads from spinning solutions using recycled elastane material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignees: Bayer Faser GmbH, Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Reinehr, Tilo Sehm, Wolfgang Anderheggen, Toni Herbertz, Helmut Judat
  • Patent number: 6824371
    Abstract: An insulation plug is disclosed for mounting in and generally filling a central recess in the die face of an extrusion die in an underwater pelletizer. The insulation plug is in the form of a rigid circular plate that substantially fills the recess in the die face oriented in opposed relation to a cutter hub and cutter knives of the underwater pelletizer and is secured in place by a fastening bolt. The insulation plug may be made of solid one piece construction or hollow two piece construction, but is made of a material having low heat conductivity. The plug has raised and recessed portions to form bottom and side air gaps within the recess. The plug reduces the transfer of heat from the molten polymer being extruded through orifices in the die plate to water circulating through a water box of the underwater pelletizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Smit
  • Publication number: 20040228939
    Abstract: A spinneret assembly for melt spinning a plurality of strand-like filaments, which includes a plurality of internal parts composed of at least one inlet component 2 and a spinneret plate 3 which are braced relative each other in a housing 1 by a supporting means. The inlet component 2 forms a melt inlet 5, and the spinneret plate 3 forms a melt outlet by means of a plurality of spin holes 4. To achieve during operation a self-sealing between the internal parts, the invention provides for arranging an expansion body 8 between the housing 1 and one of the internal parts. The expansion body 8 is formed of a material which has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the housing material, and it generates, upon being heated, a pressure force inside the housing which provides for a self-sealing bracing of the internal parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 6817858
    Abstract: A cooling die for extruding of high moisture extrudate food products having a cooling die body in which are defined a plurality of extrudate flow channels extending between an inlet end of the cooling die that is attachable to an extruder and outlet end for delivery of cooled-down extrudate, and coolant cavities located in heat-exchanging communication with the extrudate flow channels and connectable to a source of coolant, characterized in that the cooling die body consist of a plurality of thick plates having first and second channels extending between and opening at the planar surfaces of the thick plates, and that the plurality of thick places are stacked and fastened together such that the opening of the first and second channels of adjoining plates are respectively aligned with one another, whereby the first channels form said plurality of extrudate flow channels and the second channels form a plurality of discrete coolant channels extending through the length of the cooling die body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventor: Stuart Howsam
  • Patent number: 6803087
    Abstract: There is provided ceramic honeycomb body including a plurality of parallel cells defined by intersecting internal walls, and arranged in horizontal and vertical rows at and between opposing ends of the honeycomb body, an outer peripheral wall surrounding the cells, and further being interconnected to the internal walls, wherein the cells are divided into a first region including a portion of the cells adjacent the outer peripheral wall, and a second region including the remaining cells, wherein the cells in the first region have a wall thickness that is continuously increased along an axis extending to the outer peripheral wall, and, wherein fillets are formed at least at intersections between the interior walls in the first region of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas W. Brew, Mark L. Humphrey, Weiguo Miao, David R. Treacy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6793474
    Abstract: In a co-extrusion system, a primary extruder is connected to a primary flow director to direct the solid melt from the primary extruder to the co-extrusion assembly. A secondary extruder is connected to a secondary flow director to direct the melt from the secondary extruder to the co-extrusion assembly. A co-extrusion assembly produces simultaneous co-extruded melts without any significant pressure change in the melt. Dies shape the co-extruded melts to a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: American Maplan Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Gröeblacher, James W. Nixon
  • Patent number: 6790392
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the steam misting of rectangular nozzles and spinning systems equipped therewith for producing polyamide filaments whereby the steam feed is conducted through a tube loop which is passed through the heating chamber of the spinning beam so that the steam is brought to the spinning temperature. Directly below the spinning beam and thus on the lower edge of the rectangular nozzle stack which is connected thereto, between the spinning beam and the after-heater, steam outlet bars are longitudinally applied. These steam outlet bars are equipped with a simple labyrinth for pressure equalization. The steam inlet is effected initially in each case centrally of the rectangular nozzle stack and transitions into an upwardly open and relatively broad distribution chamber along the rectangular nozzle stack. This vertical distribution chamber transitions into a horizontal and very small gap which is open into the spinning chamber at its mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz-Dieter Beeck, Rainer Tietze
  • Patent number: 6773255
    Abstract: Multilayer plastic composites containing at least two incompatible plastics, A and B, in which the layering sequence alternates between A and B, the layers of plastic B are discontinued at regular intervals, and the resulting gaps in the layers are filled in with plastic A, exhibit good adhesion between the layers. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the amorphous, crystalline, or semi-crystalline plastic B has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the amorphous plastic A. The plastic composite is preferably produced via coextrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH Chemische Fabrik
    Inventors: Volker Benz, Hans Lorenz, Michael Meier-Kaiser, Michael Müller, Klaus-Ernst Pöhlmann
  • Publication number: 20040126454
    Abstract: The present invention provides a series of plates for distributing a molten polymer composition, the series of plates includes at least two plates: a first plate that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of polymer distribution channels connecting the upper surface and the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Bryan David Haynes, Michael Charles Cook, Kurtis Lee Brown, Chad Michael Freese, Brian Stephen Forbes, Robert James Gerndt
  • Publication number: 20040119195
    Abstract: An mandrel for extrusion of hollow bodies, such as, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hard, compact, and foamed pipes, includes an inner collar, an outer collar, and a middle collar, each of the collars being radially joined by webs to the particular adjoining collar. Each interior web and exterior web, relative to the middle collar, can form a web pair, the webs of the web pair being arranged to overlap at least partially in the radial direction in a particular embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: American Maplan Corporation
    Inventors: Heinrich Dohmann, Stefan Wickenkamp
  • Publication number: 20040115298
    Abstract: An arrangement including a granulating head of an extruder for granulating plastics, said granulating head having an end face and comprising a plurality of passage openings for the passage of plastics melt and an apertured granulating plate arranged at said end face of said granulating plate and having apertures following the passage openings, wherein the passage openings each end in a separate socket-shaped projection projecting beyond a front end face of the granulating head and tapering in its cross-section towards a free end, and wherein the apertures taper in their cross-sections to a front running face such that a cutting chamber following on the front running face does not have any contact with the socket-shaped projections; as well as a granulating head; and an apertured granulating plate for the arrangement according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhard Hehenberger, Johannes Remili
  • Patent number: 6749413
    Abstract: A melt-blowing head for making polymeric material fibrils comprises at least a polymeric material inlet channel and melt-blowing die including a plurality of holes for extending fibrils therefrom and a tree-construction channel arrangement for distributing the polymeric material from the inlet channel to each hole of the melt-blowing die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Rosaldo Fare′
  • Patent number: 6746230
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a spinneret for the production of hollow filament having first and second curved slots where each slot is defined by a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by an intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick L. Travelute, Evan T. Basalik
  • Publication number: 20040104116
    Abstract: The invention relates to yarns, fibres or filaments that can be fibrillated and to a method and device for their production. According to the invention, said yarns, fibres or filaments consist of at least two elementary filaments of a polymer A and each second elementary filament is sheathed with the polymer B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Engelbert Loecher, Helmut Leiner, Robert Groten, Georges Riboulet
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040086591
    Abstract: The application relates to an extrusion apparatus which comprises at least one first reservoir connected at a first end to a first opening of a plurality of regulatory modules. The regulatory modules or spinnerets contain tubular passages through which dope material is extrudable. The extrusion apparatus has at least 1,000 of the tubular passages per square metre cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Friedrich W. L. Vollrath, David P. Knight
  • Patent number: 6716016
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spinneret for spinning thermoplastics. Said spinneret comprises a central polymer inlet channel, a filter assembly (2), consisting of one or more filter plates of various filtration grades, a spinneret plate (3) and a housing (1) which receives and tightly surrounds the filter assembly (2) and the spinneret plate (3). The selection of suitable materials and tolerances for the individual parts of the spinneret enables the sealing effect to be achieved at operating temperature by the increased expansion of the internal components, in relation to the external housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Zimmer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz-Dieter Beeck, Roland Estelmann, Rainer Tietze, Andreas Weichel
  • 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: 6713011
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrospinning polymer fibers and membranes. The method includes electrospinning a polymer fiber from a conducting fluid in the presence of a first electric field established between a conducting fluid introduction device and a ground source and modifying the first electric field with a second electric field to form a jet stream of the conducting fluid. The method also includes electrically controlling the flow characteristics of the jet stream, forming a plurality of electrospinning jet streams and independently controlling the flow characteristics of at least one of the jet streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: The Research Foundation at State University of New York
    Inventors: Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao, Dufei Fang
  • 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: 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: 20040041296
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing extruded honeycomb bodies with passages, in particular as catalyst carrier bodies for the cleaning of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The passages are bounded by wall regions which are at least partly provided with structures. The honeycomb body is extruded with an extrusion die in such a way that an additional relative movement between the honeycomb body and the extrusion die takes place, leading to a deformation of the wall regions of the passages. An extrusion die for producing extruded honeycomb bodies includes a multiplicity of secured profiled pins and a housing, which together form an extrusion mask. The extrusion mask is variable during the production process, so that wall regions with the structures can be formed. Honeycomb bodies which have structures in the interior that are suitable for influencing a stream of fluid flowing through can therefore be produced in a manner which is simple in terms of production engineering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Rolf Bruck, Wolfgang Maus
  • Patent number: 6696132
    Abstract: A honeycomb structure which includes an inlet end and an outlet end opposing each other and a plurality of cell channels extending along an axis from the inlet end to the outlet end, the cell channels having non-equal, square cross-sections, and an extrusion die for making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas M. Beall, Johnny Marcher
  • Patent number: 6695606
    Abstract: An extrusion apparatus for extruding visco-elastic materials includes an extruder head for preliminary shaping of a visco-elastic melt and a splice bar die assembly for final shaping of the visco-elastic melt. Both the extruder head and the die assembly have flow channels that include low elongational flow zones where elongational flow is reduced and controlled, thereby reducing and controlling the resulting shrinkage of the extrudate. Extrudate shrinkage can also be reduced and controlled by controlling the die swell of the visco-elastic melt by rotating the roller at a selected roller speed less than the melt speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gary Robert Burg, Steven John Deren, Richard David Vargo
  • Patent number: 6692763
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating physical conditions resulting from postmenopausel estrogen decline in a postmenopausel subject, and in particular methods for reducing the risk of osteoporotic bone fractures in a postmenopausal subject. The present invention also provides a kit for carrying out the methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Cummings, Bruce Ettinger, Herman Ellman
  • Publication number: 20040021246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method as well as a system for extruding continuously molded bodies for producing filaments or staple fibers from an extrusion solution, such as a cellulose solution containing water, cellulose and tertiary amine oxide such as N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. In comparison with the methods known from the prior art, profitability can be increased in the production of continuously molded bodies (3) if the extrusion rate v is set to a value v=B·T0.33·10,000·(1/r2). In a system, profitability can be enhanced if the number r of rows is r=[(B/v)·10,000·T0.33]1/2. T is here the fiber titer in T dtex, v the extrusion rate in m/min, r the number of the rows of extrusion duct orifices (12), and B an operational parameter which is not more than 4 and at least 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Friedrich Ecker
  • Patent number: 6669986
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing multilayer pellets having a core-sheath structure with a molding material forming a sheath which covers the outer circumference of another molding material forming a core, which includes (a) supplying the core material and the sheath material to a die extruder having multiple extrusion-forming parts arranged along a circumference, (b) extruding multiple multilayer strands from the extrusion-forming parts by covering around the outer circumference of the core material concentrically with the sheath material, and (c) cutting the extruded multilayer strands to manufacture multilayer pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sumika Color Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naohiko Mushiake, Kenji Kodama, Hiroyuki Mori, Sumio Hamada, Tuyoshi Itou, Jun Komai
  • Publication number: 20030209825
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of multiple layer plastic extrusion, and more particularly to assemblies in which thin or micro-layers of polymer material are formed which polymer material may be from two or more individual extruders, and delivered to a multilayer combining adapter in association with an extruder die or other utilizations. The combining adapter of this invention is referred to herein as a flow velocity profiler (FVP) and includes a cartridge assembly body (20) that is formed with individual cavities (26) that receive on of plurality of (60). Changing individual inserts is less time intensive that changing an entire body as required in prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Anton L Timmons, Frederick c Suppon, John S Montalbano
  • Publication number: 20030206990
    Abstract: A process for the production of a shaped article of a consumable product in which a composition is extruded through a die comprising at least one orifice characterised in that the cross-sectional area for flow through the said at least one orifice is varied in a continuous fashion during at least part of the time said extrusion is occurring, whereby an extrudate is obtained whose cross-sectional area varies along at least a part of its length. Apparatus suitable for carrying out the process are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Edmondson, Graeme Neil Irving
  • Patent number: 6638045
    Abstract: A die for manufacturing resin pellets capable of processing a die plate easily, and achieving simplification of a construction of heat channels and enhancement of heating efficiency. A die 1 for manufacturing resin pellets provided with a number of nozzle orifices 7 in the outer surface of the die, there are provided a plurality of rows of heat channels 8 which extend in a direction crossing the resin channels 5 in the vicinity of the outer surface of the die and are arranged along the resin channels 5. At least one of an introducing course and a discharging course for a heat medium in the plurality of heat channels 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Yasuo Yoshii, Shinichi Fukumizu, Osamu Ikeda, Nobuhiro Yamasaki, Yoshiaki Nakata
  • Patent number: 6626660
    Abstract: A fermented or yeast leavened dough is continuously fed to a plurality of nozzles and extruded and twisted into a plurality of continuous twisted dough ropes without substantially increasing the density of the dough. The dough is fed to the nozzles by an extruder or pump which supplies the dough at a substantially constant pressure without substantial surging of the dough. Each nozzle may produce a plurality of dough ropes which are twisted together to form a continuous twisted dough rope. By avoiding a substantial increase in dough density during extrusion and twisting, a hard, glassy texture in the baked product is avoided and a crispy, non-vitreous texture is achieved. The dough twisting apparatus includes a manifold having a plurality of dough passageways and extruder pipes which extend from the downstream ends of the dough passageways. A rotary die cup is mounted on each of the stationary extruder pipes. Each die cup contains one or more die orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Baptista's Bakery, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Olson, Kevin Addesso, Brian Armstrong, Wayne Krachtt, Richard Heimbruch, Michael Sutkay
  • 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: 6616435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus of polymer web by electrospinning process and manufacturing method thereof, which can manufacture porous polymer web using an electrospinning method. The method for manufacturing porous polymer web by electrospinning process includes the steps of: forming, pressurizing and supplying at least one or more kinds of polymer materials in a liquid state; and discharging and piling the polymer materials to a collector through one or more charged nozzles, the collector being located under the nozzles and charged to have a polarity opposed to the polarity of the charged nozzles, the collector moving in a prescribed speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Wha Seop Lee, Seong Mu Jo, Seok Gu Go, Suk Won Chun
  • Patent number: 6607374
    Abstract: An apparatus for spinning bicomponent sheath/core filaments such that the filaments are uniformly quenched. The apparatus includes a distributor plate, and spinneret and a shim position between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The spinneret includes a plurality of holes positioned so that the density of holes is the lowest near the center of the spinneret and increases as radially proceed outward. More specifically, the holes are substantially configured in the shape of a parallelogram in which the sides of the parallelogram are all of equal length. Additionally, the shape of the parallelogram is more flat the further the parallelogram pattern is located from the center of the spinneret. In this manner of positioning the holes, filaments therefrom do not significantly impede quench air from uniformly reaching filaments in the outer rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Arteva North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Allan James Hastie, David Wayne Goode, Charles Eugene Justis
  • Patent number: 6604928
    Abstract: A filtering device for a spinning head for producing plastic threads. The spinning head has a housing in which the plastic melt flows through a filter element under pressure before exiting the spinnerets. The filter element is provided with a filtering material that is subjected to an axial contact pressure through a distributor device, according to the degree of pressure of the melt. This contact pressure acts upon the sealing edges of the filter element to close the sealing gaps. The special geometrical configuration of the filter element and/or its elasticity guarantee advantageous filtering in terms of energy. The filtering system is resistant to pressure and provides good, permanent sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignees: Hydac Process Technology GmbH, Barmag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Wnuk, Norbert Lang, Jurgen Hausdorf, Markus Reichwein, Roland Nitschke, Jorg Alexander, Stefan Becker
  • Patent number: 6596049
    Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers in the nature of a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Filtrona Richmond, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Berger
  • Patent number: 6592353
    Abstract: A device (10) for distributing expandable dough to plural holes (5A) is provided at a terminal end of a rotor (3) in an extruder to form plural expanded confectioneries, each of which has a rod-like configuration. A first member (20) with a through hole (22) at central portion thereof has plural and radial channels (24), and a second member (30) connected to the first member has a multi-faced pyramid-like projection (34) at a central portion of the inner wall therof. The inner wall has channels (36), each radially extending from a base of a face of the projection. The channels in the second member and the other channels in the first member are opposingly arranged in alignment to form diverging flow passages for the expandable dough. The second member has plural bores (32) arranged so as to form a concentric circle, and one each of each bore communicates with one end of the diverging flow passage while the other end is opened to form an expanding portion for the confectionery dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Akimoto, Hajime Hamada, Noriyuki Manada
  • Patent number: 6572798
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for spinning a synthetic yarn, wherein a heated polymeric melt is extruded through a spinneret and the resulting filaments are combined and wound to a package by means of a take-up device located downstream of the spinneret. A cooling tube for the filaments is positioned below the spinneret, and an inlet cylinder which has a gas permeable wall is positioned between the inlet cylinder and the cooling tube. The cooling tube connects to an air stream generator in such a manner that an air stream develops in the cooling tube in the direction of the advancing yarn. The air stream is formed by a quantity of air that enters the cooling tube via the inlet cylinder, and the inlet cylinder is subdivided in the direction of the advancing yarn into several zones, each with a different gas permeability, for controlling the quantity of air entering the inlet cylinder. It is thereby possible to influence with advantage the precooling of the yarn and the formation of the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Roland Nitschke, Hansjörg Meise, Hans-Gerhard Hutter, Ulrich Enders, Peter Senge, Detlev Schulz, Dieter Wiemer
  • Patent number: 6554599
    Abstract: An apparatus to increase the orifice density in a spinneret by using an elongate boss having a plurality of orifices. The apparatus is for spinning bicomponent sheath/core filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor plate, and spinneret and a shim position between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The spinneret includes a plurality of elongate bosses spaced apart by channels. Each boss having a plurality of orifices of which the distance between the orifices are restricted only by manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Arteva North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: James Richard Goodall, John Stanley McConnell, Allan James Hastie
  • Patent number: 6551088
    Abstract: An apparatus for spinning hollow bicomponent filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor, a spinneret having holes and a shim having openings fixed between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The distributor supplies a first polymer having an MV to a first part of the spinneret holes and a second polymer having a lower MV to a recessed section of the spinneret. The shim openings are positioned above the spinneret holes and extend away from the first part of the holes to allow the second polymer to flow from the recessed section, through the shim openings, to a second part of the spinneret holes. The two polymers travel along the opposed first and second parts of the holes until exiting the spinneret through respective asymmetric C-shaped apertures. The apertures are sized so that hydraulic split does not occur between the polymers and consequently potential filament kneeing is obviated. Upon exiting the apertures, the polymers self-join to form hollow filaments and are quenched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Arteva North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Hung Manh Nguyen, James Richard Goodall
  • Patent number: 6524521
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric has a spinning mechanism having a plurality of nozzles for extruding filaments, and a conveyor for collecting and delivering the extruded filaments. Between the spinning mechanism and the conveyor, there are disposed a high-speed air stream generating mechanism for generating a high-speed air stream to carry the filaments extruded from the nozzles to attenuate the filaments, and an air stream vibrating mechanism for periodically changing the direction of the high-speed air stream in the machine direction of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignees: Nippon Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., Polymer Processing Research Institute Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Kuroiwa, Kazuhiko Kurihara, Kazuhiro Yabe, Akira Nii, Shin-ichi Umejima
  • Publication number: 20030035855
    Abstract: A spinning apparatus for extruding a group of filaments by means of an annular spinneret. An annular collection chamber is arranged upstream of the spinneret, which is provided with a plurality of nozzle bores. The collection chamber has an upper inlet area and a lower annular outlet area, which is connected to the upper inlet area. In the inlet area of the collection chamber a filter device is disposed, upstream of which is a melt feed. The inlet area of the collection chamber is formed by a plurality of filter chambers, which are each provided with a melt inlet and a melt outlet. The filter device has a plurality of substantially cylindrical filter elements, which are each provided with a powdered filter medium. One of these filter elements is assigned to each filter chamber. This ensures a large filtration area and deep bed filtration of the polymer melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Holger Brandt, Henning Rave, Arnold Beck, Joachim Dreyer, Oliver Schirber
  • Publication number: 20030031742
    Abstract: An insulation plug is disclosed for mounting in and generally filling a central recess in the die face of an extrusion die in an underwater pelletizer. The insulation plug is in the form of a rigid circular plate that substantially fills the recess in the die face oriented in opposed relation to a cutter hub and cutter knives of the underwater pelletizer and is secured in place by a fastening bolt. The insulation plug may be made of solid one piece construction or hollow two piece construction, but is made of a material having low heat conductivity. The plug has raised and recessed portions to form bottom and side air gaps within the recess. The plug reduces the transfer of heat from the molten polymer being extruded through orifices in the die plate to water circulating through a water box of the underwater pelletizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jim Smit, Michael A. Fridley
  • Publication number: 20030011099
    Abstract: Robust homofilament fibers are meltspun from a differently shaped dual capillary spinneret design to induce differential fiber morphology to produce crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching and drawing of the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Enrique Maldonado, Kurtis Lee Brown, Jeffrey D. Shelley, Braulio Polanco
  • Publication number: 20030008032
    Abstract: A multilane extruder system is provided for forming a pliable mass such as a food dough into a plurality of substantially identical elongated extruded strips, and for depositing these strips onto a conveyor for further processing such as cutting into individual strips of selected length. The extruder system comprises an extruder manifold defining a plurality of flow channels having a substantially identical cross sectional size, shape, and length. Each flow channel includes a first segment extending radially outwardly from a central plenum chamber, and connecting with a second segment extending generally radially inwardly and terminating in an extrusion die port of selected shape. The second channel segments are oriented each at a selected individual angle relative to the radial direction for delivering the extruded strips onto the underlying conveyor in a substantially uniformly and closely spaced relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: David Bruce Walker, Michael M. Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20030008026
    Abstract: A pelletizing die includes a pelletizing die member with a die exit side exposed to cooling fluid and a die entry side for receiving polymer fed thereto. The die member has a plurality of polymer channels and a plurality of extrusion orifices connected to a respective one of the channels to form a extrusion orifice section. A heating medium system has additional heating medium conduits between channels and a supply and intermediate header for heating the channels (radially from each side) and providing once in and once out heating medium flow. The die member may be formed by high temperature brazing of components using coordinated solder (Ni based or gold-nickel) and component heat treatment temperature. A thin hard face coating may be provided on raised extrusion orifice ring faces around each extrusion orifice section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Clifton T. Knight, Judeth Brannon Corry, Jurgen Blum, Andreas Grundmann, Dieter Bormann, Andreas Forster