Mixed fiber tow or tube and method of making

Abstract

Abstract An improved tow and method of making comprising a mixture of thermoplastic microfibers having an average diameter in the range of up to about 10 microns and being discontinuous but with a very high length to diameter ratio. The mixture is formed by physically entangling microfibers containing 10% to 90% of shorter fibers with the microfibers being predominantly aligned parallel to the axis of the tow and the mixture being bonded at contact points between microfibers and the shorter fibers. The method includes the steps of forming a melt with thermoplastic material and extruding it through one or more series of orifices arranged in a rounded configuration. The extruded melt is contacted with a first gas stream whereby a network of physically entangled microfibers is formed. A second gas stream is formed and the shorter fibers entrained therein are merged to form a mixture with the microfibers. The mixture is collected as a tow or tube of rounded cross section with the microfibers being predominantly aligned parallel to the axis of the tow. Variations include the use of different and combinations of short fibers and microfibers as well as varying the concentration of such fibers throughout the cross section of the tow or tube. Uses for such tows or tubes include beauty coils, tampons, cigarette filters, bottle stuffers, and, with additives, other products such as insulating caulking and the like.

Inventors

• 👤 Harry W. Hotchkiss

Bibliographic Details