3m Innovative Properties Company

William P Klinzing

James C Breister

Patrick J Sager

Andrew W Chen

Andrew R Fox

David C Raithel

Joseph A Dunbar

Joshua D Tibbits

Warren D Eaton

Cristobal Martin Bernia

Blake R Griffith

Bradley K Kucera

Kyle J Baumgartner

Jon A Lindberg

Scott A Jerde

Jesse R Seifert

Douglas C Sundet

Matthew S Linabery

Michael R Berrigan

Marvin E Jones

William J Kopecky

James P Endle

Eric M Moore

Seth M Kirk

Daniel J Zillig

Steven John Pachuta

Sylvain M Lalonde

Methods apparatuses and systems of forming a random fiber web using pneumatic fiber feeding system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method can optionally comprise: providing a plurality of moveable apparatuses including a lickerin and a feeder, the lickerin configured to remove a plurality of fibers from a fibrous mat delivered to adjacent the lickerin by the feeder; doffing the plurality of fibers from the lickerin at a doffing location within the system; communicating an air supply to entrain the plurality of fibers with the air supply after the doffing; and collecting the plurality of fibers from the air supply to form the random fiber web.

Machines systems and methods for making random fiber webs

Methods and systems of forming a random fiber web using pneumatic fiber feeding system are disclosed. The method can optionally comprise: providing a plurality of moveable apparatuses including a lickerin and a feeder, the lickerin configured to remove a plurality of fibers from a fibrous mat delivered to adjacent the lickerin by the feeder; doffing the plurality of fibers from the lickerin at a doffing location within the system; communicating an air supply to entrain the plurality of fibers with the air supply after the doffing; and collecting the plurality of fibers from the air supply to form the random fiber web.

A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven webthat contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second locationremote from the first location. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different CFHto CFratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filtersuitable for use in an air purifying respirator. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being 'aged' at high temperatures.

Remote fluorination of fibrous filter webs

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid

A nozzle, die, apparatus, system and method for forming a fiber population having a median diameter less than one micrometer, and nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of such sub-micrometer fibers. The nozzle includes a first conduit having a first terminal end, a second conduit positioned coaxially around the first conduit and having a second terminal end proximate the first terminal end, wherein the first and second conduit form an annular channel between the first and second conduit, and additionally wherein the first terminal end extends axially outwardly beyond the second terminal end. The die includes at least one such nozzle, and the apparatus and system include at least one such die. Methods of making nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers, and articles including such nonwoven fibrous webs, are also disclosed.

Apparatus, system, and method for forming nanofibers and nanofiber webs

Methods and apparatus for meltblowing utilize an auxiliary manifold to dispense a fluid between an orifice of a die that is expelling polymeric fibers and an exit of a duct that is dispensing a secondary flow of gas onto the fibers. The fluid dispensed from the auxiliary manifold reduces a recirculation zone of the secondary flow between the exit and the orifice that, absent the fluid from the manifold, results in errant fibers that are blown back into the face of the die by the recirculating secondary flow.

Methods and apparatus for meltblowing of polymeric material utilizing fluid flow from an auxiliary manifold

Manifolds are designed to deliver fluid through multiple orifices of the manifold such that for a given inlet fluid pressure the fluid being output from the multiple orifices has a desired mass flow profile. The desired mass flow profile includes a desired mass flow rate and a desired direction and distribution of flow in three-dimensional space. The manifold is first modeled as a two-dimensional representation to determine manifold parameters necessary to achieve the desired mass flow profile within the two dimensions. Then, the manifold is modeled as a three-dimensional representation based on the parameters previously determined for the two-dimensional representation to determine manifold parameters of the third dimension that are necessary to achieve the desired mass flow profile within the three dimensions.

Manifolds for delivering fluids having a desired mass flow profile and methods for designing the same

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West Lakeland, MN, United States of America

William P Klinzing