Apparatus for producing sheeting having a fibrous surface

Claim 1

In an apparatus for manufacturing of a product comprising a carrier web and a fibrous surface formed from a non-fibrous polymer, which apparatus comprises means for supplying a polymer to a zone intermediate the carrier web and a heatable drawing surface, means for heating the polymer to render it molten, means for separating the carrier web and the drawing surface to provide a fiber-forming region in which fibers are formed from the molten polymer and adhere to the surface of the carrier web, and means for introducing a fluid into the fiber-forming region, the improvement comprising: a. means for heating the molten polymer at a temperature of at least the melting point of the polymer; b. means for separating the carrier web from the drawing surface to create a fiber forming region; and c. at least one nozzle means positioned and arranged to: 1. introduce the fluid at a point contiguous to the carrier web and on the reverse side of said web directly opposite to the fiber forming region, whereby the fluid is directed through the web into the fiber-forming region, and 2. deflect the carrier web having fibers formed thereon by an angle of 5°-90° in a direction away from the drawing surface and in the area in which the fluid is directed through the carrier web.