The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 20, 1998
Charles F Helms, Jr, Asheville, NC (US);
Diane R Kent, Arden, NC (US);
Matthew B Hoyt, Arden, NC (US);
James R Bristow, Asheville, NC (US);
Phillip E Wilson, Asheville, NC (US);
BASF Corporation, Mt. Olive, NJ (US);
Abstract
Multicomponent fibers and methods and apparatus for producing the same are provided such that an inter-domain boundary layer is interposed between distinct domains formed of incompatible polymers so as to minimize (if not eliminate entirely) separation of the domains at their interfacial boundary. The inter-domain boundary layer is formed of a heterogeneous mixture of the polymers forming the respective adjacent domains between which the boundary layer is interposed. The inter-boundary layer will most preferably include rivulets or fingers of each polymer forming the adjacent domains which interlock with one another in a randomly tortuous manner. These different polymer rivulets thereby effectively increase the surface area and mechanical interlocking at the interfacial boundary between the fiber domains thereby increasing the adhesion therebetween.