Polymer Group, Inc.

Other

Jian Weng

Richard Ferencz

Michael J Putnam

Marlene Storzer

Brian Yamanouchi

Rick Ferencz

Mark Allen Anderson

Mark Francis Jones

A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.

Hydroentanglement of continuous polymer filaments

A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device. In another aspect of the present invention, plural precursor webs, each comprising polymeric filaments, can be employed to form a laminated nonwoven fabric.

A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.

An apparatus for providing a uniform web of filaments comprises tube filament transport means exiting through a confined zone of reduced turbulence, which preferably comprises a delivery slot. The delivery slot is configured with sidewalls substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that filaments undergo minimal machine direction deflection in the slot. Charging means within the slot charge the filaments for further cross direction separation. A method of providing a uniform web of filaments comprises transporting filaments through transport tubes, through a tapered transition member, and into a delivery slot. The delivery slot is defined by sidewalls that are substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that minimal machine direction deflection of the filaments occurs. The filaments are also charged by electrostatic charging means while they are in the slot for further separation. The method and apparatus of the invention provide for a uniform filament web with high machine direction orientation.

Method for providing a web of thermoplastic filaments

A process is disclosed for hydroentangling polymeric filament webs for production of low basis weight nonwoven fabrics. A three-dimensional image transfer device is employed for patterning a precursor web to form a fabric preferably having a rectilinear pattern. High-speed production of relatively low basis weight fabrics can be achieved, with the fabrics exhibiting desired softness, uniformity, and strength characteristics.

Hydroentangled, low basis weight nonwoven fabric and process for making same

Apparatus for providing a web of thermoplastic filaments

A process is disclosed for hydroentangling polymeric filament webs for production of low basis weight nonwoven fabrics. A hydroentangling device having a foraminous forming surface is employed for hydroentangling a precursor web to form a fabric. High-speed production of relatively low basis weight fabrics can be achieved, with the fabrics exhibiting desired softness, uniformity, and strength characteristics.

A method and apparatus is provided to cause deflection or oscillation of a bundle of spun thermoplastic filaments. A pulsing electrostatic charge and optionally an additional constant charge is applied to attenuated filaments prior to deposit of the filaments on a conveyor in the form of a web. Adjacent sections of filaments may be charged with different phases, and multiple pulsed charges may be applied. The pulsed charges cause movement or oscillation of the filaments resulting in better web uniformity.

Growing community of inventors

Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Jian Weng