Single Inlet, Plural Shaping Orifices Patents (Class 425/464)
  • Patent number: 5766533
    Abstract: For the cooling of melt-extruded filaments of fiber-forming polymers spun from nozzle in molten form, said filaments are exposed to a medium prepared in foam form. The filaments emerging from the spinning nozzle are taken to the cooling area through said foam before passing on to a further process. The cooling medium, consisting of a liquid, is prepared by the addition of a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Rieter-Automatik GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Mears, Erich Czase, Willi Kretzschmar
  • Patent number: 5766523
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blow spinning die particularly suited for spinning solvated pitch into fibers having a random cross-sectional structure. Additionally, the present invention provides a process for blow spinning fibers from solvated pitches. The present invention also provides pitch fibers having a high energy internal molecular structure. Finally, the present invention provides carbon fibers which have a non-radial internal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Rodgers, Daniel F. Rossillon, Roger A. Ross
  • Patent number: 5762975
    Abstract: A die assembly fitted to the outlet of an extruder includes a die head for discharging thermoplastics melted in the extruder. The die head (7) is mounted longitudinally displaceably, transversely with respect to the polymer flow, in a rail guide of an intermediate plate (4) arranged between outlet of the extruder and die head (7) and can be removed from the intermediate plate (4) by longitudinal displacing. The die head (7) is supported on the intermediate plate (4) by sealing surfaces (8, 11), against which the die head (7) can be pressed by a screw coupling (10), the loosening of which makes possible the longitudinal displaceability of the die head (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Compex GmbH Compoundier-und Extrusionsanlagen
    Inventor: Siegward Rockstedt
  • Patent number: 5761787
    Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die and a method of making the die are disclosed, the die being made by bonding a die discharge section formed as a separate pin array to a separate die body incorporating an array of feed channels, the pin array comprising a plurality of pins attached to and extending outwardly from a body-compatible pin support which is removed after bonding the pins to the body. The pins may be formed of hard wear materials, and may have any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes adapted to improve extrusion uniformity as well as to form honeycomb cells of a variety of different cross-sectional shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Harry A. Kragle, Floyd E. Stumpff
  • Patent number: 5741531
    Abstract: Apparatus for increasing pasta production and for ensuring a more uniform and quality pasta product which includes heating the die face of a die by positioning on the die face an electric resistance heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Gregory Kowalski, Carl Michael Norman, David Brian Bertollini
  • Patent number: 5733492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spinneret of a very specific geometry which provides more strength compared with the commonly applied spinnerets, and to a spinneret made of a specific metal alloy which also provides a further high strength. In combination, a spinneret is resistant to spinning pressures up to 60.000 kPa if it is made of the specific geometry and made of the preferred metal alloy of gold, platinum, rhodium and palladium, which does not comprise contaminations and which material is very homogeneous and thus does not show an obvious second phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Jacques Wilhelmus Jozef Appeldoorn, Paulus Christiaan Maria Gortemaker
  • Patent number: 5728219
    Abstract: A modular die for applying hot melt adhesive onto a substrate comprises (a) a manifold having adhesive and air passages formed therein, (b) a plurality of self-contained and interchangeable die bodies mounted on the manifold, and (c) a die head detachably mounted on each die body. The die heads are selected from melt spraying, meltblowing, and linear bead applicators permitting the application of a variety of adhesive patterns on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: J&M Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, John T. Fetcko
  • Patent number: 5728407
    Abstract: A die for melt-blowing apparatus, which has a die body, a nozzle piece, and a lip plate. The nozzle piece is divided into plural temperature-controlling regions in a direction crosswise to a spinning direction. A temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature at a portion surrounding a nozzle orifice in the nozzle piece in each of the divided temperature-controlling regions. A heated gas is applied directly to the nozzle piece for controlling the temperature of the portion surrounding the nozzle orifice to a predetermined temperature. Using this die body, a melt-blown non-woven fabric with a uniform distribution of the weight per unit area can be easily obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsui
  • Patent number: 5723153
    Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a mass onto a moving support mechanism. A first cylinder for receiving the mass within its interior has an exit channel through which the mass is forced. A second cylinder is disposed about the first cylinder for relative rotation with respect to the first cylinder. The second cylinder includes a plurality of forming channels which repeatedly aligned with the exit channel of the first cylinder during relative rotation of the cylinders and through which the mass is forced. A plurality of nozzles are formed in the outer surface of the second cylinder and are shaped and arranged for guiding the excess mass away from the exit ends of the forming channels during at least a portion of the rotational movement of said second cylinder and for guiding the excess mass into the extruded mass at the extruding position of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Berndorf Belt Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jules Schwager
  • Patent number: 5714173
    Abstract: In a granulating die for synthetic resin, including: a plurality of nozzle holes formed in rows; a plurality of heating jackets each arranged between the rows; and a plurality of vacuum heat insulating portions formed on a surface of the granulating die, each of the vacuum heat insulating portions being arranged adjacently to one of the heating jackets, the granulating die provides the nozzle holes which are prevented from being cooled excessively by circulating water to eliminate choking of the nozzle holes to make it possible to obtain good pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5711349
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dual flow divider for use on an extruder. The flow divider is configured to separate the melt stream received from the extruder at a central entry into two flow channels, the respective channels being formed as nearly to identical (mirror image) as is practically possible. The relative flow in the respective channels can be varied by rotating a diverter valve that extends to a position adjacent the central entry of the flow divider, i.e., where the flow begins to divide. The flow channels and control end of the diverter valve are specially configured to avoid any shape or surface conditions that would impose heat-generating restrictions to material flow, and/or allow areas of stagnation in the flow stream. More specifically, the flow channels are machined to provide smooth, streamlined transitions at all points along the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Siegfried R. Wissmann
  • Patent number: 5711970
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming artificial fibers and a non-woven web therefrom includes a device for generating a substantially continuous fluid stream along a primary axis, at least one extrusion die located adjacent to the continuous fluid stream for extruding a liquefied resin into fibers, a member for entraining the fibers in the primary fluid stream, and a perturbation mechanism for selectively perturbing the flow of fluid in the fluid stream by varying the fluid pressure on either side of the primary axis to produce crimped fibers for forming the non-woven web. The inventive manufacturing method finely tunes non-woven web material characteristics such as tensile strength, porosity, barrier properties, absorbance, and softness by varying the fluid stream perturbation frequency and amplitude. Finally, the inventive apparatus may be implemented in combination with melt-blown, spunbond and coform techniques for producing non-woven webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jark Chong Lau, Bryan David Haynes
  • Patent number: 5698146
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning, drawing and winding a synthetic multi-filament yarn, wherein the yarn is subjected after drawing and prior to winding to a heat treatment for purposes of reducing its shrinkage tendency. In the heat treatment, the yarn advances along an elongated heating surface closely adjacent thereto but substantially in no contact therewith. The heating surface has a surface temperature which is above the melt point of the yarn. During the heat treatment, the yarn is subjected to a tension which is lower than the tension required for plastic deformation. The yarn wound by this method has a heat shrinkage tendency which is typically more than about 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Heinz Schippers, Rahim Gross
  • Patent number: 5695377
    Abstract: There is provided a fabric produced by a spunbond or a meltblown apparatus, wherein the apparatus has a pneumatic chamber having at least one wall containing a plurality of spaced protrusions. Preferably, both opposing walls contain protrusions aligned in staggered angled rows and the rows on one wall are angled opposite the rows on the opposing wall, thereby causing controlled lateral flow near the chamber walls. This lateral flow exhibits drag on the fibers, imparting rotational energy to the fibers. The fibers are imparted with rotational energy derived from the lateral component of the two turbulent airflow fields that oppose one another, and have a tendency to twist and crimp. Fabrics so produced have improved loft, drape, and feel and may be useable as a loop material for hook-and-loop type fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gregory Triebes, Jark Chong Lau
  • Patent number: 5693280
    Abstract: A method for fiberizing organic material includes rotating a spinner having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that extends upwardly from the bottom wall and terminates in an upper end, wherein the spinner has a cavity defined by the bottom wall, the peripheral wall and a plane extending through the upper end of the peripheral wall generally parallel to the bottom wall. The method further includes creating turbulence within the spinner cavity, supplying molten organic material to a delivery tube wherein the delivery tube terminates at a point located outside of the spinner cavity, discharging molten organic material from the delivery tube with enough momentum to overcome the turbulence and reach a predetermined location in the spinner cavity, and centrifuging fibers from the molten organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pellegrin, James E. Loftus, Virgil G. Morris, Randall M. Haines
  • Patent number: 5679379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a die body consisting of a multiplicity of modular die plates, which are easily and rapidly interchangeable. The modular die plates can be configured to extrude different shapes and types of fibers. The apparatus may also be configured to extrude multiple types of materials each from a plurality of separate ports or from a plurality of common ports. The apparatus may also be designed to include single or multiple ports to direct air or other fluids to draw or attenuate the extrudate into fibers of a desired diameter. The extrudate may be treated with the air or various other gases or fluids within the die or exterior to the die tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventors: Anthony S. Fabbricante, Thomas J. Fabbricante, Gerald C. Najour
  • Patent number: 5662947
    Abstract: A nozzle package is connected at its lower end to a heating box by means of elements which permit a good heat transfer to the nozzle plate included in the nozzle package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Kretzschmar, Erik Orthmayer
  • Patent number: 5652001
    Abstract: A spinnerette for the spinning of fibres has a rectangular frame with an upper flange for connection to a jet assembly and a lower planar apertured plate for the passage of spinning dope, the apertured plate being formed with its spinning holes and then electron beam welded into the bottom of the frame from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Courtaulds Fibres Limited
    Inventors: Michael Robert Perry, Alan Sellars, Patrick Arthur White
  • Patent number: 5650179
    Abstract: An apparatus for pelletizing a polymer melt, in which the polymer melt to be pelletized is divided in a housing of a pelletizing device into at least two part-streams, which are deflected and fed to at least two die plates which are spatially separate from one another and are heatable, whereupon the polymer melt streams are transformed into pellets by the cutting devices downstream of the die plates and are post-treated by means of a cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: PCD Polymere Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helge Schier
  • Patent number: 5648041
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for collecting relatively straight blow spun fibers in a two dimensional configuration. The process utilizes a venturi to preclude the kinking and bending of the fibers until the fibers have substantially thermoset. A diffusion chamber allows the fibers to be collected without entangling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Rodgers, Joseph A. Perrotto, Robert C. Boger
  • Patent number: 5645872
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing food into a tubular shape is provided in which a die for processing the food includes a guide plate having a material outlet and a cylindrical feed pin having a water outlet at its center co-axially housed in the material outlet. The guide plate and feed pin cooperatively define a ring-like opening. Food material is extruded out of the ring-like opening in a tubular shape. Simultaneously, hot water is expelled out of the water outlet of the feed pin, flows into and fills a hollow inside the tubular food material. The hot water in the hollow prevents the wall of the tubular food material from collapsing and also accelerates coagulation of the food material. Food material is thus continuously processed into a tubular shape. An extruding die for performing the described method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsutoyo Kiko, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noritaka Funahashi
  • Patent number: 5645790
    Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus and process for melt-blowing fiberforming thermoplastic polymers at high rates to form high-loft, low density fine fiber webs suitable for insulation applications. The high rates are achieved by mounting melt-blowing spinnerettes on the surfaces of a polygonal cylinder and spinning fibers in a radial fashion, then deflecting the fiber streams 90 degrees by a secondary stream of cold air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation
    Inventors: Eckhard C. A. Schwarz, Douglas B. Brown, Michael S. Angell
  • Patent number: 5643618
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by a food cooker extruder (12) and is mixed with a food color to form a complexly patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die (20). The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end (34) to an outlet end (36) by a factor of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree. while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned dough, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate. In the preferred form, multiple extrudates are simultaneously formed with the flow rates for each extrudate being adjustable by an adjuster plug (16) including a smooth cylindrical portion (86) extendable into a passageway (14) having a circular cross section of a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion (86).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Huberg, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5643515
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing stretched yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Filteco S.p.A.
    Inventor: John Davies
  • Patent number: 5639484
    Abstract: A spinning cell for producing lyocell fibre by spinning a solution of cellulose in an organic solvent through an air gap into a spin bath has nozzles to create a cross-draught through the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Courtaulds Fibres (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Arthur White, Malcolm John Hayhurst, Alan R. Owens, Ian David Roughsedge, Richard James Davies, Alan Sellars, Jacqueline Faye MacDonald, Michael Colin Quigley, Ralph Draper, Ronald Derek Payne
  • Patent number: 5637331
    Abstract: A spin system for thermoplastic yarns is provided with a melt line, in which the main flow of the melt is transported to a distributor pump. The distributor pump comprises several individual pumps, which divide the main melt flow into several partial flows. Each partial melt flow is supplied to a spinneret. Arranged on one of the driven shafts of the pump are mixing elements. The main melt flow is supplied to the pump via a chamber, in which these mixing elements are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Erich Lenk, Egon Gathmann
  • Patent number: 5635222
    Abstract: A strand caster, in particular for plastic strand casting systems, is provided, which in a known fashion consists of a nozzle plate and a caster. The nozzle plate and the caster include abutment surfaces facing each other, and the nozzle plate is mountable to the caster by corresponding mounting elements. The surface structure of at least one abutment surface of the nozzle plate or respectively the caster is adapted such that, due to the fastened state caused during operation, the one abutment surface accommodates to the opposing other abutment surface under tension so that an uniform surface pressing between the nozzle plate and the caster is achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventor: Helmuth Meidhof
  • Patent number: 5632938
    Abstract: A metblowing die designed to efficiently receive a preassembled die tip assembly is described. The die assembly includes a die body (19) mounted on a meltblowing machine and a replaceable die tip assembly (20). The die tip assembly (20) includes a mounting block (25), to which are mounted a die tip (26) and air knives (27, 28) on opposite sides or the die tip (26). The positions of the air knives (27, 28) are adjustable to set air gap and set back parameters important in proper operation. The die tip assembly (20) is moved into and out of the die body (19) after air knife adjustment permitting adjustment to be made with the die tip assembly (20) off the machine, allowing rapid replacement. The replacement die tip assembly (20) is preheated, permitting replacement while the die body (19) is still hot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Accurate Products Company
    Inventor: Peter G. Buehning, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5629034
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for molding a fibrous material mainly containing waste paper, in which a fibrous material mainly containing waste paper is thrown into a cylindrical cylinder from a raw material throwing port, being fed to the leading edge of the cylindrical casing by the feeding action of a rotary screw provided in the cylindrical casing, and discharged from the leading edge, the apparatus comprising: a molding/discharging member provided at the leading edge of the cylindrical casing for compressing the fibrous material fed to the leading edge of the casing into a specified shape and discharging the compressed fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Mitsuo Terada, Tetsuro Matsumoto, Kiyofumi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5629028
    Abstract: An improved underwater pelletizer is provided. The improved pelletizer has sealed heat transfer tubes embedded within the extruder die to utilize the heat of the molten polymer entering the extruder die by efficiently transferring that heat to the die plate and die face of the pelletizer. Ceramic inserts and/or inserts of other insulating materials are provided adjacent the die plate to insulate the passages through which the molten polymer passes and to inhibit cooling of the polymer within the extruder die as it approaches the die plate. The insulating inserts are positioned behind, and abut, the die plate around the passages that deliver the molten polymer to the die plate. Water makeup is provided at the cutter blades of the pelletizer to prevent cavitation within the water housing so that pellets will not agglomerate within the water housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The Conair Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Trumbull
  • Patent number: 5618566
    Abstract: Modular die constructions includes a plurality of side-by-side self-contained, interchangeable meltblowing modules on a manifold so that the length of the die can be varied by adding modules or removing modules from the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, John T. Fetcko
  • Patent number: 5612063
    Abstract: An apparatus for melt spinning multifilament yarns from fiber-forming polymers at wind-up speeds of at least 2,000 m/min, includes a spinnerette, a porous tube for solidifying the filaments, a convergence element for the filaments and a wind-up device. The apparatus further includes, at least between the spinnerette and the convergence element, an essentially vertical spinline. The porous tube is open in the spinning direction and concentric relative to the spinline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Akzo N.V.
    Inventors: Diederich Schilo, Wolfgang Peschke
  • Patent number: 5605706
    Abstract: A meltblowing die assembly featuring a preassembled die tip assembly permitting the rapid exchange thereof. The preassembled die tip assembly includes a die tip having a triangular nosepiece, a member mounted on the die tip assembly for conforming the die tip to the die body, and a pair of air plates mounted on the die tip and in combination with the nosepiece define converging air slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, John T. Fetcko
  • Patent number: 5603883
    Abstract: A plant for the production of cellulose films and fibers includes at least one pulping device for producing a first suspension of pulp in an aqueous amine-oxide solution and a first thin-film treatment apparatus for receiving the first pulp suspension and producing a concentrated pulp suspension. The plant also includes a second thin-film treatment apparatus wherein the concentrated pulp suspension is transformed into a mouldable solution of cellulose and a spinning device connected to the second thin-film treatment apparatus, wherein the mouldable cellulose solution is processed into cellulose films and fibers. A process for the production of cellulose films and fibers according to an amine-oxide process includes the steps of suspending pulp in an aqueous amine-oxide solution to produce a first suspension, concentrating the first suspension, producing a mouldable cellulose solution by heating, and processing the solution to form cellulose films and fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Zikeli
  • Patent number: 5601856
    Abstract: The heat transmission from the heating box of a spinning beam to the nozzle package carried therein in a nozzle throat is improved in such a way that the fixing device for the package is provided with heat receiving elements. These elements are subjected to saturated vapor in operation and are provided with condensation surfaces so as to receive heat from the saturated vapor. The heat received is transmitted to the package via at least one heat bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventors: Willi Kretzschmar, Erik Ortmayer
  • Patent number: 5597586
    Abstract: An underwater thermoplastic pelletizer has an extruding die, and a cutter for cutting a thermoplastic polymer extruded from the die into pellets as the molten polymer is solidified under water that is circulated to cool the extruded polymer and convey the pellets away for collection. The extruding die includes a die plate that is mounted in the face of the die concentric with and opposite the cutter and has a plurality of groups of extruding die holes that are connected in the die to a central main feed passage by separate radially extending distribution feed passages. The die holes in the groups are arranged in circular patterns of uniform radius about a center line intersecting with a circle concentric with the cutter path and the groups are equally angularly spaced about the cutter center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Davidson Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip S. Wilson, Marie J. Hersman
  • Patent number: 5595766
    Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the exterior of the peripheral wall for centrifuging dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into at least two compartments. The first and second molten thermoplastic materials are supplied to the spinner and directed into alternate ones of the compartments so that adjacent compartments contain different thermoplastic materials. Passages are located in each of the compartments through which the molten thermoplastic materials flow to the orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner. At least some of the passages have branches which form a common inlet adjacent to the interior of the peripheral wall and which communicate with at least two different orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Houpt, Dennis C. Souers
  • Patent number: 5593705
    Abstract: An apparatus and use thereof for melt spinning multifilament yarns from fiber-forming polymers at windup speeds of at least 2000 m/min is disclosed. The apparatus has a spinnerette, a cooling element for solidifying the filaments, a convergence element for the filaments and a wind-up element and having, at least between the spinnerette and the convergence element, an essentially vertical spinline. The cooling element is a porous tube which is open in the spinning direction and concentric relative to the spinline. The porous tube has disposed downstream of it a further, non-porous tube. It is particularly advantageous for the porous tube to have a length from 10 to 800 mm. It is particularly advantageous for the further, non-porous tube disposed downstream of the porous tube to have a length from 200 to 800 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel NV
    Inventors: Diederich Schilo, Wolfgang Peschke
  • Patent number: 5593702
    Abstract: An improved underwater pelletizer adapted to prevent extruded material from agglomerating in an pelletizing assembly, which pelletizer includes a cutting assembly having (1) a shroud fixedly mounted to the surface of the recess in the center of the die ring thereby preventing pellets from being trapped between the die face and the cutting assembly; and (2) novel knives contoured to conform in their angular positions to the curvature of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Harris, Robert B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5589125
    Abstract: To prepare cellulose mouldings, a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine-oxide is moulded in a hot state and the moulded solution is introduced into a precipitation bath in order to precipitate the contained cellulose, wherein the hot moulded solution is cooled before introduction into the precipitation bath. Cooling occurs immediately after the moulding process and preferably consists of blowing air horizontally on to the cellulose moulding. The process according to the invention allows spinning of the cellulose solution with a high fibre density without the spun fibres sticking together after emerging from the spinneret. In spite of the high fibre density, it furthermore allows the use of a long air gap between the spinneret and the precipitation bath, by which means sufficient time is generated in the spinning process to affect the textile properties of the fibres by drawing at the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Ernst Rauch, Hermann Koberger, Friedrich Ecker, Hartmut Ruf, Raimund Jurkovic, Franz Schwenninger
  • Patent number: 5580581
    Abstract: A meltblowing die designed to efficiently receive a preassembled die tip assembly is described. The die assembly includes a die body mounted on a meltblowing machine and a replaceable die tip assembly. The die tip assembly includes a mounting block, to which are mounted a die tip and air knives on opposite sides of the die tip. The positions of the air knives are adjustable to set air gap and set back parameters important in proper operation. The die tip assembly is moved into and out of the die body after air knife adjustment, permitting the adjustment to be made with the die tip assembly off the machine, and allowing rapid replacement. The replacement die tip assembly is preheated, permitting replacement while the die body is still hot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Accurate Products Company
    Inventor: Peter G. Buehning
  • Patent number: 5578330
    Abstract: Use of a ribbon shaped flow configuration at the entrance to a round spinneret used for spinning carbon fibers from mesophase pitch promotes the formation of random microstructure and prevents formation of axial cracking in the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Ross, Uel D. Jennings
  • Patent number: 5576032
    Abstract: The annular channel elongate nozzle of an extrusion die (10) suitable for use for extrusion into a travelling mold tunnel, has an inner core (16) profiled for attachment to any one of a number of interchangeable end fitting nozzles outlet (100). The profiling takes the form of a step between an upstream portion (22) of the core and a reduced diameter downstream portion (24). Each end fitting outlet has an annular sleeve (34) to fit about the downstream core portion to extend the surface of the upstream portion of the core. The sleeve abuts the step (26) thereby locating the end fitting outlet correctly. No locking means is necessary between the end fitting and the core in the region of the nozzle. Attachment may be effected between them at a location downstream of the point at which extrudate is extruded into the mold tunnel. Hence, attachment is not hampered by the presence of extrudate and the attachment (40, 20, 25) may not interfere with the flow of extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Manfred A. A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 5567493
    Abstract: A multi-hole tube extrusion die comprises a female mold die having a flat opening and a mandrel having comb-teeth-like molding portions arranged in the opening. A heated material is extruded between the female mold die opening and the comb-teeth-like molding portions of the mandrel to form a tube having a multi-plicity of holes. An interval between each of the comb-teeth-like molding portions at the opposite ends of the mandrel and the comb-teeth-like molding portion adjacent to the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portion is set to be smaller than an intervals between the female mold die opening and each of the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portions and to be larger than an interval between adjacent ones of the other comb-teeth-like molding portions. Additionally, the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portions are larger in width than the other comb-teeth-like molding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Imai, Tokuo Shirai, Ken Yamamoto, Shingoro Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 5547363
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spinning nozzle having one or more discharge openings and one or more introduction openings located upstream the discharge openings for producing pitch-based carbon fibers characterized by the presence of one or more spiral members in each introduction openings. According to the nozzle of the present invention, part of the pitch which is introduced to the introduction opening flows down along the spiral member while the flow of the pitch is affected by the spiral member. The remaining pitch flows into the discharge opening without being in contact with the spiral member, and then both are spun after being mixed through the discharge opening to prepare carbon fibers having a random structure. Especially, the carbon fibers of higher performances can be prepared when a spiral having uneven outer diameters is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignees: Petoca, Ltd., Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Takai, Tetsuo Yamada, Toshifumi Kawamura, Susumu Shimizu, Haruki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5531587
    Abstract: The invention concerns a closable extrusion nozzle for thermoplastic materials, with a nozzle plate (4) containing nozzles permitting the extrusion of the thermoplastic material from a hopper (1) and with a perforated plate (7), disposed upstream of the nozzle plate, whose apertures (8) can be brought in and out of alignment with the nozzles by displacing the perforated plate (7) with respect to the nozzle plate (4). The nozzle plate (4), which is U-shaped in cross-section, with the arms of the U at right angles to the direction of displacement of the perforated plate, is designed as a housing for the perforated plate (7) enclosed within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventor: Helmuth Meidhof
  • Patent number: 5527178
    Abstract: A jet assembly for spinning cellulose fibres from a solution of cellulose in an amine oxide solvent in which the jet assembly includes a generally top-hat shaped spinnerette having a series of downwardly directed holes through the base of the spinnerette and an outwardly directed flange around the periphery of the vertical walls of the spinnerette, the jet assembly including a heated housing engaging with the flange and being bolted to the flange, insulation being provided on the underside of the jet assembly over the outer periphery, the combination of heating and insulation regulating the temperature of the jet assembly for optimum spinning of an amine oxide cellulose solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Courtaulds Fibres (Holdings) Limited
    Inventors: Patrick A. White, Michael R. Perry, Michael C. Quigley, Malcolm J. Hayhurst, Alan Sellars, Alan Owens, Jacqueline F. MacDonald, Ralph Draper
  • Patent number: 5516273
    Abstract: A die useful in coating and extrusion processes has a housing and an insert removably received in a chamber of the housing. The insert controls to some extent the characteristics of fluid flow in the die as well as the fluid flow exiting the die. The insert is elongated and is round in sections perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, so that it may be inexpensively made by a lathe. As such, a number of inserts of varying configurations may be retained on hand and used as needed to vary the flow characteristics when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Delmore, Gary W. Maier
  • Patent number: 5513973
    Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus is disclosed which includes a supporting housing, a melt supply block mounted in the upper end of the housing, and a spin plate mounted adjacent the lower end of the housing so as to define a spinning chamber between the block and plate. A melt diverting plate is positioned in the spinning chamber for deflecting the melt entering into the chamber, and the melt diverting plate is configured such that substantially the same pressure drop occurs in the melt as it moves from the melt supply duct to all portions of the upper surface of the spin plate, so as to achieve a substantially uniform denier among the resulting filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Gerd Keil, Erich Lenk, Eberhard Fenger
  • Patent number: 5511964
    Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacturing of plastic pipes has half shells of which two at a time combine as a pair to form a mold. It is provided with a temperature-regulating bell. Supply lines are formed as flexible supply hoses of temperature-resistant plastic material. A line conduit accommodating them is provided with a protecting tube, which accommodates the supply hoses and which is provided with a heat insulation towards an injection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Wilhelm Hegler
    Inventors: Ralph-Peter Hegler, Wilhelm Hegler