US3909174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous tube forming by melt blowing technique
Assignee: Beloit Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for continuously making a tube of melt blown microfibers. A tube so made is useful as a filter element or the like. Melt blown microfibers are deposited from a linear such fiber generating apparatus longitudinally upon a circumferential surface portion of a stationary, hollow mandrel which is supported at one end thereof. A flexible continuously moving belt in a closed loop spirally extends about the circumferential surface of the mandrel over the area beneath the linear fiber generating apparatus and returns internally through the mandrel via slots. A tubular web formed on this belted circumferential mandrel surface is continuously moved towards the open end of the mandrel where it is continuously withdrawn. Tube characteristics are regulated by belt speed, microfiber deposition rate, tube withdrawal rate, and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene R Blair
- 👤 Robert E Page
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:13
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/08; D01D5/098; D01D5/0985; B; B01; B01D; B01D29/00; B01D29/11; B01D29/111; B01D29/13; B01D29/15; B01D29/21; B01D29/216; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/56; B29C53/58; B29C53/60; B29C53/607; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; D04H1/70; D04H1/76; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/75; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
399 words
Apparatus for continuously making a tube of melt blown microfibers comprising a. a mandrel, having a chamber defined interiorly thereof, b. support means supporting said mandrel in the region of one end thereof, c. a pair of apertures formed in circumferential portions of said mandrel in generally axially spaced relationship to each other and communicating with said chamber, d. a continuous flexible belt member, said belt member 1. being spirally wrapped about circumferential portions of said mandrel between said pair of apertures and adapted to make slidable engagement with said wrapped circumferential portions, 2. extending slidably through each of said apertures at opposite ends of said wrapped circumferential portions, 3. being interconnected with itself through said chamber between said apertures, e. belt drive means including guide means within said chamber and adapted to move continuously said belt longitudinally thereof and spirally about said wrapped circumferential portions in a direction away from said one end, f. means for continuously generating a generally planar configuration of melt blown microfibers, said means being positioned and adapted to deposit longitudinally upon said wrapped circumferential portions a web of melt blown microfibers, g. means for continuously collecting generally axially from the opposite end of said mandrel a tubular web of microfibers formed on said belt over said flexible felt member as said belt member so moves and as said microfibers are being so deposited thereon by said generating means, said collecting means comprising a spindle rotatable on its axis and adapted to wind convolutely upon circumferential surface portions thereof in a collapsed, flattened form such tubular web, the axis of said spindle extending generally through, and being generally normal to, the axis of said mandrel and in spaced relationship to said opposite end thereof, said spindle being further adapted to rotate end-over-end generally about the axis of said mandrel, h. collecting drive means adapted to rotate said spindle endover-end at a rate approximating the radial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, i. spindle drive means adapted to rotate said spindle on its axis at a rate approximating the axial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, and j. roller means adapted to collapse and flatten such tubular web before such is so convolutely wound upon said spindle, said roller means being adapted to rotate with said spindle about the axis of said mandrel aS said spindle rotates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
399 words
Apparatus for continuously making a tube of melt blown microfibers comprising a. a mandrel, having a chamber defined interiorly thereof, b. support means supporting said mandrel in the region of one end thereof, c. a pair of apertures formed in circumferential portions of said mandrel in generally axially spaced relationship to each other and communicating with said chamber, d. a continuous flexible belt member, said belt member 1. being spirally wrapped about circumferential portions of said mandrel between said pair of apertures and adapted to make slidable engagement with said wrapped circumferential portions, 2. extending slidably through each of said apertures at opposite ends of said wrapped circumferential portions, 3. being interconnected with itself through said chamber between said apertures, e. belt drive means including guide means within said chamber and adapted to move continuously said belt longitudinally thereof and spirally about said wrapped circumferential portions in a direction away from said one end, f. means for continuously generating a generally planar configuration of melt blown microfibers, said means being positioned and adapted to deposit longitudinally upon said wrapped circumferential portions a web of melt blown microfibers, g. means for continuously collecting generally axially from the opposite end of said mandrel a tubular web of microfibers formed on said belt over said flexible felt member as said belt member so moves and as said microfibers are being so deposited thereon by said generating means, said collecting means comprising a spindle rotatable on its axis and adapted to wind convolutely upon circumferential surface portions thereof in a collapsed, flattened form such tubular web, the axis of said spindle extending generally through, and being generally normal to, the axis of said mandrel and in spaced relationship to said opposite end thereof, said spindle being further adapted to rotate end-over-end generally about the axis of said mandrel, h. collecting drive means adapted to rotate said spindle endover-end at a rate approximating the radial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, i. spindle drive means adapted to rotate said spindle on its axis at a rate approximating the axial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, and j. roller means adapted to collapse and flatten such tubular web before such is so convolutely wound upon said spindle, said roller means being adapted to rotate with said spindle about the axis of said mandrel aS said spindle rotates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
extending slidably through each of said apertures at opposite ends of said wrapped circumferential portions,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
extending slidably through each of said apertures at opposite ends of said wrapped circumferential portions,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said microfiber planar configuration is generally aligned with the axis of said mandrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
289 words
being interconnected with itself through said chamber between said apertures, e. belt drive means including guide means within said chamber and adapted to move continuously said belt longitudinally thereof and spirally about said wrapped circumferential portions in a direction away from said one end, f. means for continuously generating a generally planar configuration of melt blown microfibers, said means being positioned and adapted to deposit longitudinally upon said wrapped circumferential portions a web of melt blown microfibers, g. means for continuously collecting generally axially from the opposite end of said mandrel a tubular web of microfibers formed on said belt over said flexible felt member as said belt member so moves and as said microfibers are being so deposited thereon by said generating means, said collecting means comprising a spindle rotatable on its axis and adapted to wind convolutely upon circumferential surface portions thereof in a collapsed, flattened form such tubular web, the axis of said spindle extending generally through, and being generally normal to, the axis of said mandrel and in spaced relationship to said opposite end thereof, said spindle being further adapted to rotate end-over-end generally about the axis of said mandrel, h. collecting drive means adapted to rotate said spindle end-over-end at a rate approximating the radial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, i. spindle drive means adapted to rotate said spindle on its axis at a rate approximating the axial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, and j. roller means adapted to collapse and flatten such tubular web before such is so convolutely wound upon said spindle, said roller means being adapted to rotate with said spindle about the axis of said mandrel aS said spindle rotates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
289 words
being interconnected with itself through said chamber between said apertures, e. belt drive means including guide means within said chamber and adapted to move continuously said belt longitudinally thereof and spirally about said wrapped circumferential portions in a direction away from said one end, f. means for continuously generating a generally planar configuration of melt blown microfibers, said means being positioned and adapted to deposit longitudinally upon said wrapped circumferential portions a web of melt blown microfibers, g. means for continuously collecting generally axially from the opposite end of said mandrel a tubular web of microfibers formed on said belt over said flexible felt member as said belt member so moves and as said microfibers are being so deposited thereon by said generating means, said collecting means comprising a spindle rotatable on its axis and adapted to wind convolutely upon circumferential surface portions thereof in a collapsed, flattened form such tubular web, the axis of said spindle extending generally through, and being generally normal to, the axis of said mandrel and in spaced relationship to said opposite end thereof, said spindle being further adapted to rotate end-over-end generally about the axis of said mandrel, h. collecting drive means adapted to rotate said spindle end-over-end at a rate approximating the radial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, i. spindle drive means adapted to rotate said spindle on its axis at a rate approximating the axial speed of said flexible belt member over said circumferential portions, and j. roller means adapted to collapse and flatten such tubular web before such is so convolutely wound upon said spindle, said roller means being adapted to rotate with said spindle about the axis of said mandrel aS said spindle rotates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |