US4267002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Melt blowing process
Assignee: Eastman Chemical Co
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Filing: 1979-03-05
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Granted: 1981-05-12
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Expires: 1999-03-05
Abstract
Abstract Thermoplastic materials are converted directly into thermally bonded, coherent fibrous products by melt blowing techniques. The fibrous product is in the form of a rod having a relatively dense, rigid skin in which the fiber portions are oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction with respect to the axis of the product, and a less dense core where the fiber portions are oriented primarily in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of the product. The products are made by melt blowing fibers and intercepting them by a fiber collecting and forming device which permits a relatively heavy build-up of fiber mass in the central portion and a relatively light build-up of fibers in a lip portion surrounding the central portion. As fibers are continuously deposited on the collecting and forming device, the product thus formed is withdrawn at a rate synchronized with collection of fibers such that the aforesaid build-up is maintained, and such that the lip portion is folded back over the central portion by the collecting and forming device to form the rod as described.
Inventors
- 👤 Cephas H. Sloan
- 👤 Jerry A. Wright
- 👤 Gerald P. Morie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:38
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D3/00; A24D3/06; A24D3/08; D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/541; D04H1/5412; D04H1/56; D04H1/70; D04H1/76; D04H3/00; D04H3/02; D04H3/07; D04H3/077; D04H3/08; D04H3/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/75; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1007; Y10T156/1008; Y10T156/101; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Process of forming a fibrous mass comprising the steps of (1) extruding an attenuating molten thermoplastic material into a plurality of fibers by directing a jet of gas at the extruded material, said jet being directed such as to move the fibers toward a collecting and forming device having a radially flared end portion which converges into a throat section, (2) intercepting said fibers by said collecting and forming device to obtain a relatively heavy build-up of fibrous mass in the throat section, the mass decreasing as the radius of the flared upper section increases, (3) withdrawing the fibrous mass from said throat at a speed synchronized with the build-up of fibers on said collecting and forming device such that the outer fibers on said flared section are continuously folded back over the core of said fibrous mass to form a relatively dense skin and providing a generally randomly parabolic orientation of fibers in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Process of forming a fibrous mass comprising the steps of (1) extruding an attenuating molten thermoplastic material into a plurality of fibers by directing a jet of gas at the extruded material, said jet being directed such as to move the fibers toward a collecting and forming device having a radially flared end portion which converges into a throat section, (2) intercepting said fibers by said collecting and forming device to obtain a relatively heavy build-up of fibrous mass in the throat section, the mass decreasing as the radius of the flared upper section increases, (3) withdrawing the fibrous mass from said throat at a speed synchronized with the build-up of fibers on said collecting and forming device such that the outer fibers on said flared section are continuously folded back over the core of said fibrous mass to form a relatively dense skin and providing a generally randomly parabolic orientation of fibers in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said thermoplastic material is a polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process according to claim 2 wherein said thermoplastic material is a polyester.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said fibrous mass is an elongated shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said jet of gas is air and is directed at said extruded material substantially immediately as it emerges from the extrusion nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said collecting and forming device is funnel-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said collecting and forming device is trumpet-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said collecting and forming device comprises a pair of cooperating belts which are guided to form said collecting and forming device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said collecting and forming device is perforated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said collecting and forming device is located between about 50 and about 150 mm from the throat of said collecting and forming device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein said fibers are in a thermally bondable condition when deposited on said collecting and forming device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-11 | 1984-11-10 | 1985-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-11 | 1988-11-10 | 1989-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-11 | 1992-11-10 | 1993-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |