Patent US5141699A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5141699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making oriented melt-blown microfibers
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1990-01-16
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Granted: 1992-08-25
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Expires: 2010-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for preparing melt-blown microfibers comprising extruding fiber-forming material through the orifices of a die into a high-velocity gaseous stream where the extruded material is rapidly attenuated into fibers, directing the attenuated fibers into a first open end of a tubular chamber disposed near the die and extending in a direction parallel to the path of the attenuated fibers as they leave the die, introducing air into the tubular chamber at a velocity sufficient to maintain the fibers under tension during travel through the chamber, and collecting the fibers after they leave the tubular chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel E. Meyer
- 👤 Dennis L. Krueger
- 👤 Hassan Bodaghi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:14
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/08; D01D5/098; D01D5/0985; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D04H1/56; D04H3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for preparing melt-blown microfibers comprising extruding molten fiber-forming polymeric material through orifices in a die into a high-velocity primary stream of air which attenuates and draws out the extruded material into a mass of individual and discrete continuous fibers; directing the prepared mass of fibers into one end of a tubular chamber; and passing the fibers through the chamber together with a secondary stream of air introduced into the chamber and directed longitudinally along the length of the chamber, the air blowing along the length of the chamber at a velocity sufficient to maintain the fibers under tension and oriented along the length of the chamber and sufficient for the fibers to exit the chamber at a velocity of at least about 4400 meters/minute.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for preparing melt-blown microfibers comprising extruding molten fiber-forming polymeric material through orifices in a die into a high-velocity primary stream of air which attenuates and draws out the extruded material into a mass of individual and discrete continuous fibers; directing the prepared mass of fibers into one end of a tubular chamber; and passing the fibers through the chamber together with a secondary stream of air introduced into the chamber and directed longitudinally along the length of the chamber, the air blowing along the length of the chamber at a velocity sufficient to maintain the fibers under tension and oriented along the length of the chamber and sufficient for the fibers to exit the chamber at a velocity of at least about 4400 meters/minute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 1 in which the tubular chamber is a flat box-like chamber having a flared exit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 1 in which air is introduced to the tubular chamber over a Coanda curved surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 1 in which the orifices in the die are circular smooth-surface orifices.
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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) | 1995-08-25 | 1996-02-24 | 1996-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-02-24 | 2000-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-25 | 2004-02-24 | 2004-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |