Staple Length Fiber Patents (Class 428/359)
  • Publication number: 20030124348
    Abstract: Low denier, high extensible fibers, soft extensible nonwoven webs comprising such fibers, and disposable articles comprising such nonwoven webs are obtained by spinning a polymer composition through small diameter holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Kelyn Anne Arora, Eric Bryan Bond, Michele Ann Mansfield, David Harry Melik
  • Patent number: 6586092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cardable fiber blend which forms a moldable fiber batt, the blend comprising fibers having a modulus of 550 g/denier or more with fibers of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the high modulus polymer fibers are all uncrimped fibers or a mixture of crimped and uncrimped fibers. The moldable batt is useful in making speaker cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Anil Kohli
  • Patent number: 6582817
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nonwoven fabric that is formed of polyethylene glycol modified copolyester staple fibers. The copolyester staple fibers include polyethylene terephthalate in an amount sufficient for the copolyester staple fibers to possess dimensional stability properties substantially similar to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient for the copolyester staple fibers to possess wicking characteristics that are superior to those of conventional, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate fibers, and chain branching agent in an amount less than about 0.0014 mole-equivalent branches per mole of standardized polymer. Also disclosed are methods for making such nonwoven fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith James Carnes, James Burch Branum
  • Publication number: 20030113564
    Abstract: Coated substrates include a coating and a substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper, fabric, thread and yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Isao Noda, Michael Matthew Satkowski
  • Patent number: 6579616
    Abstract: A string binder is disclosed which is useful for making reinforcing articles for use in the manufacture of molded composite articles. The string binder, in one embodiment, includes a fibrous carrier substrate material covered with a solidified coating comprising a binder resin material having an acid value of less than about 30 mg KOH/g of resin. Additionally, the coating may include a catalyst applied as a separate layer or in combination with the binder resin material. The string binder may be co-roved with one or more ends of a separate fibrous reinforcing material to make a product suitable for use in various molding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Joseph Beckman, Diane Marie Hulett, William Gerard Hager
  • Patent number: 6579615
    Abstract: This invention provides a plated steel wire with high corrosion resistance and excellent workability, wherein the average composition of the plating alloy in the plated steel wire comprises, in terms of weight percentage, Al: 4-20%, Mg: 0.8-5%, and if necessary one or more from among Si: ≦2%, Na: 0.001-0.1% and Ti: 0.01-0.1%, with the remainder Zn, and an Fe—Zn alloy layer of no greater than 20 &mgr;m thickness is present at the plating-base metal interface; it is produced by coating a steel wire with a molten zinc plating composed mainly of zinc as the first stage and then.coating it with a molten zinc alloy plating with the aforementioned average composition as the second stage. The maximum plating bath immersion time is 20 seconds, and the part of the plated steel wire drawn out from the plating bath is purged with nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sugimaru, Satoru Tanaka, Seiki Nishida, Akira Takahashi, Atsuhiko Yoshie, Kazumi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20030099833
    Abstract: A flame and heat resistant paper is disclosed having high burnthrough prevention capability, as required in aircraft applications. The paper is prepared from modified aluminum oxide silica fibers, in addition to other components, and has exceptional tensile strength and flexibility as compared to conventional inorganic papers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Tex Tech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Erb, Eric D. Ritter, Lisa B. Stang
  • Patent number: 6569525
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 6569526
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths. Preferred fibers and matrix materials having such fibers demonstrate excellent finishability in addition to dispersion and toughness properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan, Salah Altoubat
  • Patent number: 6566485
    Abstract: This invention relates to a water-soluble fiber and a method of manufacturing the fiber. The water-soluble fiber of the invention is composed of a high molecular compound with a weight average molecular weight of not less than 10,000, which high molecular compound is obtainable by reacting a polyalkylene oxide compound, which is obtainable by addition polymerization of an ethylene oxide-containing alkylene oxide and an organic compound containing two active hydrogen atoms, with a polycarboxylic acid, an anhydride thereof, a lower alkyl ester thereof, or a diisocyanate and is manufactured by spinning the same high molecular compound. The water-soluble fiber of the invention is not only high in elongation and tensile strength but is readily soluble in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujita, Chuzo Isoda, Sejin Pu
  • Patent number: 6562457
    Abstract: A polyether ester elastomer comprising about 90-about 60 weight % polytrimethylene ether ester soft segment and about 10-about 40 weight % tetramethylene ester hard segment, and use thereof in fibers and other shaped articles. The fibers have excellent physical properties, including superior strength and stretch recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Marc B. Goldfinger, Hari B. Sunkara
  • Patent number: 6562444
    Abstract: A building material is provided in which fiber-cement is laminated to gypsum to form a single piece laminate composite. This single piece laminate composite exhibits improved fire resistance and surface abuse and impact resistance, but achieves these properties without the excessive weight and thickness of two piece systems. Additionally, because of the reduced thickness, the preferred laminate building material is easier to cut and is quicker and easier to install than two piece systems. Furthermore, forming the fiber-cement and gypsum into a single piece laminate eliminates the need to install two separate pieces of building material, thereby simplifying installation. In one embodiment, a ⅝″ thick laminate composite is provided in which a ½″ thick gypsum panel laminated to a ⅛″ thick fiber-cement sheet, the laminate composite having a fire resistance rating of 1 hour when measured in accordance with ASTM E119-98.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: James Hardie Research Pty Limited
    Inventors: James A. Gleeson, Mark T. Fisher, Donald J. Merkley
  • Patent number: 6554881
    Abstract: A filter media having a synthetic microfiber polymer fine fiber web wherein the diameter of the fibers is between about 0.8 to about 1.5 microns. The filter media is acceptable for use in ASHRAE applications. Constructions with a low DP backing, support or prefilter layers of coarse fiber provide large area filter webs of high efficiency and a stale and high threshold value of alpha above eleven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hollingsworth & Vose Company
    Inventor: David Thomas Healey
  • Patent number: 6548196
    Abstract: Wallpaper for shielding electromagnetic waves, which can effectively shield wideband frequency electromagnetic waves and prevent static electricity, is provided. The wallpaper is prepared by applying and coating onto at least one surface of raw paper a coating composition comprising, mixed in a predetermined ratio based on the total weight of the composition, 1 to 69% by weight of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a conductive polymer material with about 1% to about 100% solids by weight of the conductive polymer material, conductive carbon and graphite, 30 to 98% by weight of matrix polymer with about 1% to about 50% solids by weight of the matrix polymer, 0 to 59% by weight of a solvent and 1 to 40% by weight of additives. Also, in order to form a protection layer for protecting the electromagnetic wave shielding layer and to enhance commodity attraction, a patterned layer is further formed and the resulting structure is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: AD-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Mok Ha, Jin-U Park, Jin-Ouk Jang, Hyun-Sik Hahm
  • Patent number: 6548167
    Abstract: A continuous fiber granulate material includes granulate particles having reinforcing staple fibers helically arranged in a thermoplastic matrix. The reinforcing staple fibers are located in a sheathed zone of the granulate particles along with a melted matrix material, with the granulate further including a core zone having unmelted thermoplastic staple fibers. The continuous fiber granulates have good free-flowing properties and a uniform distribution of reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ostthuringische Materialprufgesellshaft fur Textil und Kunststoffe mbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Mieck, Thomas Reussmann
  • Publication number: 20030057593
    Abstract: An acrylic fiber having cotton-like properties with modified, internal void structure and optical characteristics, the acrylic fiber comprising a BYK Gardner Luster (BYL) reflectance measurement of less than about 44.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Gary J. Capone, Danny W. Carter, C. Wayne Emerson
  • Publication number: 20030032360
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric containing fibers made of polyoxyalkylene and a method for its production and its use. The fabric may be obtained by known methods of producing nonwovens and may particularly be used as a separator in batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Peter Kritzer
  • Patent number: 6511746
    Abstract: Microfibers have been manufactured from dissolved cellulose, from which threads, yarns, and fabrics can be made. These cellulosic microfibers may be used to produce fabrics with the very soft feel that is characteristic of microfiber fabrics, and the water absorbency and comfort of cellulosic fabrics. Furthermore, since the microfiber diameter may be 2 &mgr;m or smaller (about the same size as dust particles and small oily droplets), these fabrics have an exceptional ability to remove dust and oil droplets from surfaces and gas streams, and are therefore useful in filter media. The novel microfibers may be manufactured by the continuous flow of dissolved cellulose through a converging die. Imposing orientation in the incipient microfiber prior to or during crystallization of the cellulose produces continuous fibers of substantial aspect ratio, without significant entanglement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: John R. Collier, Ioan I. Negulescu, Billie J. Collier
  • Patent number: 6506491
    Abstract: A staple yarn comprising a blend of 35 to 90 weight percent fluoropolymer fiber and 65 to 10 weight percent of one or more types of blend fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Arthur Russell Nelson, Reginald Thomas Kruszewski
  • Patent number: 6503614
    Abstract: A molded article includes a matrix of transparent plastics material incorporating a filler that is essentially constituted by fibers, the filler comprising 1% to 25% by mass of the mixture and the mean length of the fibers constituting the filler lying in the range of 100 &mgr;m to 700 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 6492020
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modified staple fiber, and more particularly, polyester fiberfill and fiber clusters which are made by a completely coupled bulked continuous filament (BCF) process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John S. Ahn, Fritz Brakelmann, Ilan Marcus
  • Patent number: 6489016
    Abstract: A multilayer film for packaging which is superior in, such as extensible elesticity, ability for adhering onto various surfaces, transparency, clear cutting perforamance, heat-sealability, resistance to fogging, resistance to break-through and ability for restoring from finger pressing and which comprises outer layers made of the outer layer resin composition (I) given below and an inner layer made of an inner layer resin composition composed of a higher melting component (III) and a softening component (IV) interposed between the outer layers, wherein the resin composition (I) comprises 59.5-99.5% by weight of (A) an ethylene/&agr;-olefin copolymer component, which is composed of at least one copolymer of ethylene and an &agr;-olefin having 3-20 carbon atoms and which has a melt flow rate (MFR) of 0.1-10 g/10 min. and a density of 0.850 g/cm3-0.910 g/cm3; 0-40% by weight of (B) a high-pressure process low density poly-ethylene having a density of 0.915-0.930 g/cm3, and 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kishine
  • Patent number: 6485820
    Abstract: A durable belt device includes an outer layer made out of a rubber based material and an inner layer that includes at least one reinforcing ply of tear-resistant scrim fabric located between opposed surfaces thereof and a multiplicity of needle fibers that run substantially transversely and perpendicularly through the reinforcing ply and protrude out from at least one surface of the inner layer. A bonding agent forms an intermediate layer that secures the outer layer to the one surface of the inner layer such that the fibers at least partially extend therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Gerard Michaud
  • Patent number: 6485829
    Abstract: A polyester composition is disclosed that is particularly suitable for filament. The composition is formed of polyethylene terephthalate; polyethylene glycol in an amount sufficient to increase the wetting and wicking properties of a filament made from the composition to a level substantially similar to the wetting and wicking properties of cotton and other cellulosic fibers (natural or synthetic) but less than the amount that would reduce the favorable elastic memory properties of the polyester composition; and a chain branching agent selected from the group consisting of trifunctional alcohols and acids and tetrafunctional alcohols and acids that will copolymerize with polyethylene terephthalate, the chain branching agent being present in an amount sufficient to raise the melt viscosity of the polyester composition to a level that permits filament manufacture under conditions that are substantially the same as those under which filament can be formed from unmodified polyethylene terephthalate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl S. Nichols, Billy Mack Humelsine
  • Patent number: 6472059
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic structure as well as a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material incorporating a continuous woven fiber and a discontinuous fiber pre-ceramic matrix for subsequent curing and component construction. The method includes preparation of a mixture of discontinuous fibers, fillers, and a pre-ceramic precursor resin where the precursor resin is present in a quantity sufficient to substantially saturate subsequently adjacent woven fiber lengths, and thereafter introducing the mixture to a situs between an upper length of woven fiber and a lower length of woven fiber in alignment with each other while effectuating linear movement of these woven fiber lengths and moving the lengths toward each other for compression and retention in a sandwich configuration to thereby fabricate a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material. The material is cut to size in accord with the configuration of a part to be manufactured, formed into a green-state structure, and cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Strasser, William James Marsh, Robert Alan Schwindler
  • Publication number: 20020155287
    Abstract: A staple yarn comprising a blend of 35 to 90 weight percent fluoropolymer fiber and 65 to 10 weight percent of one or more types of blend fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Arthur Russell Nelson, Reginald Thomas Kruszewski
  • Patent number: 6468654
    Abstract: A treating agent comprises a nitrile group-containing highly saturated polymer rubber latex (A) having an iodine value of 120 or less, a rubber latex (B) other than the highly saturated polymer rubber latex, and a water-soluble resorcinol/formaldehyde condensate in amounts of 15 to 80%, 5 to 70% and 2 to 15%, all by weight in terms of solids, respectively. A rubber-reinforcing fiber product is coated with the treating agent. A rubber article such as a toothed belt, a tire and the like is made using this rubber-reinforcing fiber product. The glass fiber product coated with the treating agent may be further coated with a halogen-containing polymer-based adhesive as a secondary treating agent. Thus, the treating agent exhibits a large bonding force between the reinforcing fiber product and a matrix. Even if the rubber article is repeatedly subjected to a flexing stress, the strength thereof cannot be reduced. A peel-off cannot occurs between the reinforcing fiber product and the rubber matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Glass Fiber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Okamura, Masato Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 6468651
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric prepared from fibers which are not substantially fibrillated and have a diameter of less than 20 &mgr;m, by fusing a fiber web comprising fine fibers having a diameter of 4 &mgr;m or less, and adhesive fibers having a diameter ranging from 8 &mgr;m to less than 20 &mgr;m, wherein a maximum pore size in the nonwoven fabric is not more than twice a mean flow pore size of the nonwoven fabric is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Aikawa, Noriko Miyaguchi, Takashi Tarao, Hitoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6468932
    Abstract: The invention relates to Al2O3-containing and high-temperature resistant glass sliver on silica basis having a highly textile, cotton-like and voluminous character. The invention also relates to glass staple fiber products from said glass sliver and their use. The textile character and high-temperature resistance are obtained in particular by selective acid extraction. The composition of the inventive glass sliver comprises in particular SiO2 as main component and 1-5% (wt.) Al2O3 as subsidiary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Richter Robin, Focke Thomas, Lehr Sven
  • Patent number: 6465536
    Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber and film compositions comprising partially acidified, hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers or film derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Solutia, Inc.
    Inventors: Yueting Chou, Timothy Paul Feast, Jingen Zhang, David J. Sikora
  • Publication number: 20020146951
    Abstract: A staple fiber for an electret non-woven fabric, which is a polyolefin heat-bonding fiber having 0.05 to 1.0% by weight of an oil adhering thereto, characterized in that the amount of the adhering oil decreases to 0.001 to 0.2% by weight, and that the decrease ratio of the amount of the adhering oil can be at least 60%, under heat treatment for forming the polyolefin heat-bonding fiber into a non-woven fabric and/or under heat treatment of a non-woven fabric formed of the polyolefin heat-bonding fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: J.C. Tai, Yen Jung Hu, Yee-Chun Chen, Atsushi Kajita, Shigeki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6462947
    Abstract: A device case is constructed to include a front frame, a face panel, a metal wire gauze filter mounted in an air input port in the face panel, an air output port disposed at a back side, an induced-draft fan mounted in a front frame behind the face panel and adapted to draw outside air through the air input port and the air output port, an ultraviolet lamp installed in the front frame above the induced-draft fan, and a layer of titanium dioxide photocatalyst coated on the face panel, said frame, the wire gauze filter, and an inside wall of the computer case within the radiation of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Hsi Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 6458455
    Abstract: Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) tetrachannel cross-section staple fibers, as well as yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics made therewith. Also, the process of making such staple fibers, yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ismael A. Hernandez, Geoffrey David Hietpas, James M. Howell, Claudia Schultze
  • Publication number: 20020136859
    Abstract: Antistatic yarns, fabrics and carpets incorporating such antistatic yarns, and fiber blends for making such antistatic yarns are disclosed wherein the antistatic yarns are formed such that at least about 35 percent by weight of the staple fibers present are conductive staple fibers, quasi-conductive staple fibers, or mixtures of conductive and quasi-conductive staple fibers. Conductive staple fibers may include metal staple fibers, metal-coated non-conductive polymer staple fibers, carbon-loaded polymer staple fibers, polymer staple fibers loaded with antimony-doped tin oxide, conductive polymer solution-coated non-conductive polymer staple fibers, inherently-conductive polymer staple fibers, and bicomponent staple fibers. Quasi-conductive staple fibers may include bicomponent quasi-conductive staple fibers. Continuous fibers and non-conductive staple fibers may also be present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: SOLUTIA INC.
    Inventors: W. Keith Fisher , John J. Elliot
  • Patent number: 6455154
    Abstract: A coating liquid for forming porous silica coating, comprising a product of reaction between a short fiber silica and a hydrolyzate of an alkoxysilane of the formula XnSi(OR)4-n or a halogenated silane of the formula XnSiX′4-n (in the formula, X represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a vinyl group; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group or a vinyl group; X′ represents a chlorine atom or a bromine atom; and n is an integer of 0 to 3). A coated substrate comprising a porous silica coating film formed from the above coating liquid for forming porous silica coating. A short fiber silica having an average diameter (D) of 10 to 30 nm, a length (L) of 30 to 100 nm and an aspect ratio (L/D) of 3 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Catallysts & Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nakashima, Kazuaki Inoue, Ryo Muraguchi, Michio Komatsu
  • Patent number: 6432532
    Abstract: Microfibers and microfibrillated articles are provided by imparting fluid energy to a surface of a highly oriented, highly crystalline, melt-processed polymeric film. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Michael D. Swan, John W. Louks
  • Publication number: 20020102372
    Abstract: A support beam for a long functional unit, specifically in a paper and/or coating machine, including a long hollow body having a round or polygonal cross section and manufactured from a fiber reinforced material which was produced in a winding process, whereby the invention provides that the fiber reinforced material is one having a modulus of elasticity of >100 Gpa, and a heat expansion of ≦2×10−6 1/° K in its longitudinal direction, as well as a fiber orientation whereby a first fiber content of 70% to 90% is approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction and a remaining second fiber content is aligned in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Christioph Henninger
  • Patent number: 6420024
    Abstract: Charged, high-strength, high-modulus, melt-processed microfibers, films having a charged, microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same are described. Charged microfibrillated articles of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, melt processed film to liberate microfibers or microfibrous flakes therefrom. Microfibrillated articles of the invention find use as tape backings, in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water, wipes for dust or debris removal, and thermal and acoustical insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mario A. Perez, Betty Z. Mei, Michael D. Swan
  • Publication number: 20020071951
    Abstract: A process of making polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, comprising (a) providing polytrimethylene terephthalate, (b) melt spinning the melted polytrimethylene terephthalate at a temperature of 245-285° C. into filaments, (c) quenching the filaments, (d) drawing the quenched filaments, (e) crimping the drawn filaments using a mechanical crimper at a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm), (f) relaxing the crimped filaments at a temperature of 50-120° C., and (g) cutting the relaxed filaments into staple fibers having a length of about 0.2-6 inches (about 0.5-about 15 cm), and polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, yarns and fabrics. Further, a process of optimizing the crimp take-up of a polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fiber comprising determining the relationship between denier and crimp take-up and manufacturing staple fibers having a denier selected based upon that determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ismael A. Hernandez, Geoffrey David Hietpas, James M. Howell, Claudia Schultze
  • Patent number: 6402951
    Abstract: A filter media structure, which is capable of operating in the micro- and nanofiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, high permeability, high flow rate, low pressure drop across the filter media, high mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The filter media structure is comprised of mixture of carbon or ceramic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers generally having a diameter of from about 0.03 to about 5 microns. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a filter media structure comprising mixing together a) inorganic fibers; b) inorganic fiber whiskers; c) a water soluble binder, and optionally depositing a thin layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surface of the inorganic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers comprising the filter media structure. The filter media structure is selected from the group consisting of a paper, felt and fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Hitco Carbon Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Wilson, Gary Pruett, Shrikant Awasthi
  • Patent number: 6403217
    Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bobby Mal Phillips, Jackson Lee Nelson, Shriram Bagrodia
  • Patent number: 6395823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite made by the process of melt mixing (a) a polymer having at least one isocyanate reactive group, wherein the polymer is from 30 to 90% by weight of the composite; (b) a thermoplastic polyurethane at from 0.1 to less than 10% by weight of the composite; and (c) a reinforcing fiber at from 9.9 to 60% by weight of the composite, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of components (a)-(c) is equal to 100%, wherein the polymer (a) is not a polyamide. The invention further relates to a composite prepared by the process of melt mixing (a) a polymer having at least one isocyanate reactive group, wherein the polymer is from 25 to 90% by weight of the composite; (b) a thermoplastic polyurethane at from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the composite; (c) a reinforcing fiber at from 9.8 to 60% by weight of the composite, and (d) an epoxy compound at from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composite, wherein the sum of the weight percentages of components (a)-(d) is equal to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Andrew E. Brink, Jeffrey T. Owens
  • Patent number: 6387489
    Abstract: A decorative sheet arranged on the outside or inside of buildings is composed of a compression-molded core made from one or more core layers. The core contains cellulose fibers or wood fibers, bound to one another by a hot-curing resin. Each core layer is composed of wood fibers or of cellulose fibers having lengths from 0.3 to 30 mm, and is containing pigments or is without pigments. The pigments are uniformly distributed within the core layer, and their proportion by weight is from above 0 to 20% by weight of the mixture made from pigments and from wood fibers or cellulose fibers. The pigments are colorfast, and weathering of the wood fibers or cellulose fibers at the surfaces of the sheet causes the original coloration of the core surfaces to change so that, when dry, the core is covered by a gray-silver patina, but substantially regains its original coloration when wet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Trespa International B.V.
    Inventors: Remco Willemse, Alex Van de Wall, Henricus Kömhoff
  • Patent number: 6387488
    Abstract: A color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing short fiber capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering with visible rays consisting of two or more kinds or polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately. A color-developing structure is formed by binding particles of the short fiber to one another, dispersing the short fiber in a mixture with other materials or adhering the short fiber on the surface of a support. Further, a color-developing composite short fiber having a length of 0.01 to 100 mm is obtained by cutting a color-developing composite fiber comprising two or more polymer compounds having different refractive indices which are laminated alternately forming a layer capable of reflecting visible rays and interfering therewith and a layer capable of reflecting invisible rays and interfering therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Teijin Limited, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Kinya Kumazawa, Hiroshi Tabata, Makoto Asano, Toshimasa Kuroda, Susumu Shimizu, Akio Sakihara
  • Patent number: 6379795
    Abstract: A method for making a shaped article or a shaped article having a volume resistivity of less than 102 ohm-cm with a desired combination of properties and processibility in an injection moldable composition. In particular the shaped articles formed include injection molded bipolar plates as current collectors in fuel cell applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mukesh K. Bisaria, Peter Andrin, Mohamed Abdou, Yuqi Cai
  • Patent number: 6368713
    Abstract: Hollow carbon microcoils are provided having a pitch that is substantially zero. Also provided are ceramic microcoils comprising a metal nitride, a metal carbide or a metal carbonitride. The invention also includes methods for producing such microcoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Motojima
  • Patent number: 6365272
    Abstract: A two-part sizing system for making colorless, densified fiber pellets of a reinforcing fiber material. The densified product may be advantageously produced by first applying a precursor size composition to reinforcing fiber strands, chopping the reinforcing fiber strands into chopped strand segments, applying a binder size, and densifying the chopped strand segments to form densified fiber pellets. The binder size is formulated using a copolymer of maleic anhydride which generates a product free from discoloration. In the process of making the pellets, the sized chopped strands are densified by tumbling in a rotating chamber for a period of time sufficient to increase their density but insufficient to degrade the fibers to a point where composite articles formed from such pellets have lower tensile or impact strengths than comparable composite articles formed from unpelletized strand segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadia Masson, Jean-Marc Henrion, James Laurence Thomason, Leonard Joseph Adzima, Terry Linn Cheney, Willy Piret, Marc Cossement
  • Publication number: 20020017735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of synthetic fibers from a melt mixture of fiber forming matrix polymers, wherein at least one second amorphous additive polymer, which is immiscible with the fiber forming matrix polymer, is added to the fiber forming matrix polymers in a quantity of 0.05-5 wt % (with reference to the total weight of fiber forming matrix polymer and the additive copolymer). The additive polymer is obtained by multiple initiation. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the synthetic fibers produced by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Helmut Schwind, Werner Ude, Wolfgang Janas, Alexander Klein, Bernd Kretschmann
  • Publication number: 20020009590
    Abstract: A spontaneously degradable fiber excellent in bulkiness, softness, stretchability and feeling, which comprises (A) a low heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising a high crystalline aliphatic polyester and (B) a high heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising an aliphatic polyester, e.g., a low crystalline or non-crystalline aliphatic polyester, and a block copolymer or a mixture the main component of which is an aliphatic polyester and which comprises a high-melting component and a low-melting component. Further, fibers excellent in self-crimpability or self-adhesion property and dividable fibers are obtained by suitably combining the fiber components (A) and (B) to form conjugated fibers or composite yarns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Matsui, Eiichi Ozeki, Yoshikazu Kondo, Hiroshi Kajiyama
  • Patent number: 6340522
    Abstract: Exemplary fibers of the invention, useful for reinforcing hydratable cementitious materials such as concrete and mortar, have three-dimensional twist curvatures. Preferably, the fibers are flat or flattened and have first and second opposed flat or flattened ends that are twisted out of phase, and which preferably define therebetween an intermediate elongate fiber body having a curvature in more than one direction. Processes of the invention comprise forming a fiber with a three-dimensional twisted shape by twisting at least two fibers together to form a twisted fiber bundle to impart a twist curvature into the fiber material. The twisted fiber bundle can then be cut into separate fibers or stored on bobbins for shipment to another location for cutting. Advantages of the invention include enhanced dispersibility of the fibers in hydratable cementitious compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignees: WR Grace & Co.-Conn., Atlantic Fiber Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Sean Burke, Michael B. Macklin, Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Jean-François Trottier