EP2050843A1 - Faserextrusionspaket mit geteilten Verteilungsplatten - Google Patents
Faserextrusionspaket mit geteilten Verteilungsplatten Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2050843A1 EP2050843A1 EP07020537A EP07020537A EP2050843A1 EP 2050843 A1 EP2050843 A1 EP 2050843A1 EP 07020537 A EP07020537 A EP 07020537A EP 07020537 A EP07020537 A EP 07020537A EP 2050843 A1 EP2050843 A1 EP 2050843A1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- reservoirs
- fiber extrusion
- pack
- adjacent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 137
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 94
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 78
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000012768 molten material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 53
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000003566 sealing material Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 229920001059 synthetic polymer Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N alstonine Natural products C1=CC2=C3C=CC=CC3=NC2=C2N1C[C@H]1[C@H](C)OC=C(C(=O)OC)[C@H]1C2 WYTGDNHDOZPMIW-RCBQFDQVSA-N 0.000 description 19
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920002302 Nylon 6,6 Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920000219 Ethylene vinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004372 Polyvinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920005594 polymer fiber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002451 polyvinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 2
- MHCVCKDNQYMGEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1'-biphenyl;phenoxybenzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1C1=CC=CC=C1.C=1C=CC=CC=1OC1=CC=CC=C1 MHCVCKDNQYMGEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000270295 Serpentes Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000593 degrading effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- UFRKOOWSQGXVKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;ethenol Chemical compound C=C.OC=C UFRKOOWSQGXVKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- RZXDTJIXPSCHCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexa-1,5-diene-2,5-diol Chemical compound OC(=C)CCC(O)=C RZXDTJIXPSCHCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012209 synthetic fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
- D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
- D01D4/00—Spinnerette packs; Cleaning thereof
- D01D4/06—Distributing spinning solution or melt to spinning nozzles
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
- D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
- D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
- D01D5/08—Melt spinning methods
- D01D5/098—Melt spinning methods with simultaneous stretching
- D01D5/0985—Melt spinning methods with simultaneous stretching by means of a flowing gas (e.g. melt-blowing)
Definitions
- the present invention relates to synthetic fiber extrusion packs and polymer distribution plates for fiber extrusion packs.
- spunbond refers to a process of forming a non-woven fabric or web from an array of thin, melt-spun polymeric fibers or filaments produced by extruding molten polymer from orifices.
- polymer pellets placed in a hopper are fed to a screw extruder which melts the polymer.
- the molten polymer then flows through a heated pipe to a spin beam.
- the spin beam is essentially a pressure vessel which uses boiling Dowtherm or a similar liquid/vapor material to provide uniform heat to a spin pack contained therein.
- the spin beam also contains one or more metering pumps which receive the molten polymer and control the polymer flow rate through the spin pack.
- the spin pack can be constructed from a series of thin flat, generally rectangular plates into which small channels and holes are etched or machined.
- the plates When layered in a stack and bolted together to form the spin pack, the plates form a distribution network for distributing the molten polymer to the spinneret at the lowermost portion of the spin pack.
- Such a distribution network is generally required only where bi-component or multicomponent fibers are to be produced. Consequently, it will be appreciated that spunbond packs with multiple plates that form distribution networks as described herein, generally have applicability in the formation of plural-component fibers.
- the spinneret contains an array of spinning orifices, typically from 1000 to 5000 per meter of length of the spinneret, arranged in a substantially horizontal, rectangular array, with each orifice extruding an individual polymer stream and being shaped to form fibers of a particular cross section and size.
- the array of extruded polymer streams forms a vertically oriented curtain of downwardly moving strands that are drawn as they cool and then further processed to form fabric (e.g., additional in-line processing can be performed to produce a non-woven web or fabric, or the fibers can be wound on a roll for later processing).
- FIG. 1 A plan view of a representative distribution plate 10 of a conventional spunbond pack is shown in Fig. 1 .
- plate 10 is approximately twelve feet in length in the cross direction. This dimension essentially dictates the maximum width of the extruded fiber curtain that can be produced and the corresponding maximum width of a non-woven web formed by laying the extruded fibers on a moving belt. In the machine direction, such plates are typically about eight to ten inches wide, although plates as wide as about sixteen inches have been used.
- the spunbond pack is essentially a layered structure formed by overlaying several distribution plates on each other in a stack, with each layer being formed by a single plate, such that the features of adjacent plates are aligned to form the channels and through holes that constitute the polymer distribution network.
- the plates are aligned using a dowel pin which is inserted into a central dowel pin hole 12 located near the center of the plate in the cross direction and toward one edge of the plate in the machine direction, as shown in Fig. 1 .
- the central dowel pin hole 12 is substantially circular and closely matches the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the central dowel pin, such that the central dowel pin controls the end-to-end alignment of the plates (i.e., the central dowel pin properly aligns the plates in the cross direction) when the dowel pin extends through the stack.
- Two additional, substantially slot-shaped dowel pin holes 14 are respectively located near the two cross-directional ends of plate 10 toward one edge of the plate in the machine direction.
- the slots are aligned in the cross direction, permitting a small degree of play in this direction (i.e., the dowel pins inserted in the outer slot-shaped dowel pin holes do not control the end-to-end alignment in the manner of the central dowel pin).
- Two corresponding dowel pins are inserted in these outer slot-shaped dowel pin holes 14 and extend through the stack of plates to ensure proper alignment in the machine direction and effectively prevent rotational misalignment between plates.
- the remaining circular holes shown in Fig. 1 are bolt holes through which bolts are inserted to fasten the plates together to form the fiber extrusion pack.
- any feature on the plate may have a long-term positional accuracy on the order of 0.002 inch per foot from the central dowel pin.
- a spin pack constructed from twelve foot long plates such as that shown in Fig. 1
- the ends of the plate are six feet from the central dowel pin. Consequently, a twelve foot long pack would have a plate-to-plate alignment accuracy of approximately 0.012 inches (6 ft. x 0.002 inches/ft.).
- a fiber extrusion pack for extruding molten material to form an array of fibers comprises a plurality of split distribution plates arranged in a stack, such that each split distribution plate comprises a layer within the fiber extrusion pack, and features on the split distribution plates form a distribution network that delivers the molten material to orifices in the fiber extrusion pack.
- Each of the split distribution plates comprises a plurality of plate segments with a gap disposed between adjacent plate segments, and adjacent edges of the plate segments are shaped to form reservoirs along the gap. For example, opposing recesses can be respectively formed in the adjacent edges of the plate segments to form the reservoirs. Sealing plugs are disposed in the reservoirs to prevent leakage of the molten material from the fiber extrusion pack.
- the plate segments can include, for example, at least first and second plate segments whose plate-to-plate alignments are independent. This can be accomplished by having the first plate segment include at least one dowel pin hole for receiving a first dowel pin that aligns the first plate segment with corresponding plate segments of other split distribution plates in the fiber extrusion pack, and by having the second plate segment include at least one dowel pin hole for receiving a second dowel pin that aligns the second plate segment with corresponding plate segments of other split distribution plates in the fiber extrusion pack. More specifically, the first plate segment can include a first set of dowel pin holes and the second plate segment can include a second set of dowel pin holes.
- each plate segment is only a fraction of the length of the overall distribution plate and the plate-to-plate alignment of each plate segment is controlled by the dowel pins of that plate segment, the plate-to-plate alignment (which scales with maximum distance from the dowel pin) is dramatically better for the split distribution plate than for a convention, single-piece distribution plate.
- the improved plate-to-plate alignment accuracy reduces potential misalignment and allows smaller distribution channel features with a greater distribution feature density.
- the sealing plugs can be formed by the molten material that leaks into the gap and collects and solidifies in the reservoirs or by placing a plugging material in the reservoirs at the time of pack assembly.
- the plugging material can be solid when placed in the reservoirs and then melted and hardened to form the sealing plugs upon placing the fiber extrusion pack in a preheater.
- the plugging material can be injected as a liquid into the reservoirs and then solidifies into the sealing plugs.
- the reservoirs can lie along angled portions of the gap such that gravity causes the molten plugging material to flow toward and plug exterior openings of the reservoirs.
- the gaps of adjacent split distribution plates can be non-aligned, such that adjacent split distribution plates have separate reservoirs.
- the reservoirs formed in gaps of adjacent split distribution plates are aligned to form common reservoirs among the adjacent split distribution plates. In this case, the gaps of adjacent split distribution plates can nevertheless be non-aligned between the common reservoirs.
- a continuous distribution pattern can be formed on adjacent plate segments, and adjacent edges of the plate segments can be shaped such that the gap extends through the continuous distribution pattern without interrupting the continuous distribution pattern.
- the adjacent edges of the plate segments can be shaped such that a center portion of the gap has a serpentine shape to allow the center portion of the gap to extend through a continuous pattern of distribution channels.
- spin pack refers to the assembly for processing the molten polymer to produce extruded polymer streams, including final polymer filtration, distribution systems and the spinneret.
- spinneret refers to the portion of the spin pack that delivers the molten polymer to and through orifices for extrusion into the environment. The spinneret can be implemented with holes drilled or etched through a plate or any other structure capable of issuing the required fiber streams.
- the layers of a fiber extrusion pack comprise split, multi-piece distribution plates instead of continuous, single-piece distribution plates.
- Each piece or segment of the plate has its own set of dowel pins which controls the plate-to-plate alignment of the segment with segments of adjacent layers. Because each plate segment is only a fraction of the overall length of the spin pack, the plate-to-plate alignment, which increases proportionally with maximum distance to the dowel pin, is dramatically improved without having to increase manufacturing accuracy. This improved plate-to-plate alignment accuracy reduces potential misalignment between plates and permits formation of finer distribution features at a greater density.
- FIG. 2 For comparison with the conventional distribution plate depicted in Fig. 1 , an exemplary split, multi-piece distribution plate 20 comprising six plate segments 22 arranged side-by-side is shown in Fig. 2 .
- Split distribution plate 20 is approximately twelve feet in length, with each of the individual six segments 22 being approximately two feet in length. By arranging several such plates having appropriate polymer distribution features in a stack, a twelve-foot long spin pack can be constructed.
- the plate-to-plate alignment accuracy is dictated by the maximum distance from the central dowel pin; however, the alignment of each plate segment 22 is controlled by its own central dowel pin.
- the plate-to-plate alignment accuracy of each two-foot segment of the plate is then only 0.002 inches (0.002 in/ft x 1 ft.), since the furthest distance on each segment from its central dowel pin is one foot. Consequently, with the same manufacturing accuracy, the split, multi-piece distribution plate shown in Fig. 2 has a plate-to-plate alignment accuracy six time greater than the single-piece plate shown in Fig. 1 . It will be understood that the configuration shown in Fig. 2 represents only one example, and the invention is not limited to the specific dimensions, manufacturing tolerances, plate-to-plate alignment accuracies, or number of segments in each multi-piece plate described in connection with Fig. 2 .
- Fig. 3 illustrates an expanded view of one of the plate segments 22 of the split distribution plate 20 shown in Fig. 2 .
- the etched or machined features that would be present on such a plate to form the polymer distribution network are omitted from the drawing in Fig. 2 for simplicity, and the illustrated dimensions, holes, slots and edge features are not necessarily to scale.
- Plate segment 22 includes a central dowel pin hole 24 which receives a central dowel pin and is located at approximately the mid-point of the segment in the cross direction and toward one outer edge of the segment in the machine direction.
- Central dowel pin hole 24 is substantially circular and closely matches the transverse cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the central dowel pin, such that the central dowel pin fits snuggly into the central dowel pin hole 24 and properly aligns the plate segment in the cross direction with corresponding segments of other plates when the dowel pin extends through the stack.
- Two additional, substantially slot-shaped dowel pin holes 26 are respectively located near the two cross-directional ends of segment 22 toward one edge of the segment in the machine direction.
- the slots are aligned in the cross direction, permitting a small degree of play in this direction (i.e., the dowel pins inserted in the outer slot-shaped dowel pin holes do not control the cross-directional alignment in the manner of the central dowel pin).
- Two corresponding dowel pins are inserted in these outer slot-shaped dowel pin holes 26 and extend through the stack of plates to ensure proper alignment in the machine direction and effectively prevent rotational misalignment between plates.
- the remaining circular holes shown in Fig. 3 are bolt holes through which bolts are inserted to fasten the plates together to form the pack.
- Each of the plate segments 22 in the split, multi-piece distribution plate 20 includes a similar set of dowel pin holes that permit alignment with corresponding segments of other plates in this same manner. While a particular configuration of dowel pin holes has been illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 , it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular positioning, number or arrangement of dowel pin holes, provided the dowel pin holes are configured to cause proper alignment of the plate segments upon insertion of the dowel pins.
- the center portion of the end surfaces of the segment have a serpentine profile 28, as shown in Fig. 3 .
- semi-circular recesses 30 are formed in the end surfaces, such that two recesses bound the serpentine center portion of each end surface (i.e., the recesses lie along the end surfaces between the serpentine center portion of the end surfaces and outside edges of the end surfaces).
- Recesses 30 are aligned with those of adjacent segments of the multi-piece plate to form reservoirs, as described below in greater detail.
- the serpentine center portions 28 of the end surfaces of the plate segment permit adjacent segments to be fitted together in a slot-and-tab manner such that the polymer distribution pattern is not interrupted in the machine direction. More specifically, as better shown in the expanded view in Fig. 4 , adjacent rows of spin holes are staggered in the cross direction such that individual holes are offset in the cross direction relative to holes in adjacent rows.
- Fig. 4 shows spin holes 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54 located nearest the ends of two adjacent segments 40 and 42, together with the distribution channels 56 formed in the plates above the spin holes for supplying polymer thereto.
- the relatively complex distribution channels could support formation of plural-component fibers having a number of sub-components or sections within each extruded fiber strand.
- hole 46 lies at least partially on a tab or projection on the end of plate segment 40 that fits into a slot or recess in plate segment 42 adjacent hole 52.
- holes 50 and 54 are formed near tabs on plate segment 42 that fit into slots in plate segment 40 near holes 44 and 48, respectively.
- the spacing between features across the gap e.g., the spacing between holes 44 and 50 shown in Fig. 4
- the spacing between features across the gap is substantially the same as the spacing between features on the individual segments, such that the gap between segments does not disrupt the design pattern on the multi-piece plate.
- this arrangement results in a very narrow metal-to-metal seal length between the gap between plate segments (which is at atmospheric pressure) and the high pressure polymer passages (e.g., at 2000 psi) near the edges of the plate segments.
- This seal length can be on the order of only 0.01 to 0.02 inch, or approximately 0.5 millimeter.
- the length of the metal-to-metal seal between plates required to prevent polymer leakage is much greater; consequently, this narrow seal length caused by the presence of the gap is likely to leak unacceptably for most long pack fiber processes, such that polymer will leak into the gap and work its way to the outside of the pack.
- an innovative technique is used to seal the gap between the plate segments and prevent leakage of polymer from the spin pack.
- the profiles of the cross-directional ends of the plate segments are shaped such that the gap 60 between the segments includes reservoirs 62 along the gap, which are positioned toward the ends of the gap (in the machine direction) and bound the gap's serpentine-shaped center portion 64 into which polymer leaks due to the small seal length.
- the reservoirs can be substantially circular and can have a diameter of approximately 6 millimeters, although the invention is not limited to having reservoirs of any particular shape or dimensions.
- a sealing plug is deposited into each reservoir 62 to block the polymer in the center portion 64 of the gap 60 from seeping to the outer ends of the gap, which terminate on the exterior side surfaces of the pack.
- the sealing plug can be formed in a variety of ways. One option is to allow weeping polymer that enters the central portion of the gap to collect in the reservoirs and degrade into a solid plugs, thereby sealing the gap before enough polymer leaks to pressurize the gap and cause a leak. Another option is to place a plugging material in the reservoirs at pack assembly to seal the gap. According to another option, the plugging material can be injected after final pack assembly.
- the sealing material can be a solid polymer at assembly, but is then subsequently melted in a preheater oven to flow into the reservoirs and reservoir openings, and degrade into hard plugs while the pack is in the preheater (i.e., prior to operation).
- Polymer fiber extrusion packs used in manufacturing are periodically taken off line for cleaning (e.g., every two to three weeks).
- the cleaning process involves disassembling the pack by removing the dowel pins and bolts and prying apart the distribution plates, cleaning the plates, and reassembling the pack with the cleaned plates. Each time the pack is assembled in this manner, the plugging material is reintroduced into the reservoirs.
- the sealing material can be a solid material that is placed in the reservoir at the time of assembly.
- the spin pack is typically placed in a preheater oven for preheating prior to installation in the spunbond machine. As the solid sealing material melts in the preheater, it expands and preferably completely fills the reservoir and oozes into the openings of the reservoir that lead to the serpentine center portion of the gap and to the outer end of the gap at the pack exterior, thereby sealing the reservoir from ingress of polymer from the serpentine central portion of the gap or egress of any polymer from the reservoir to the pack exterior (in the event that the interior opening of the reservoir is not entirely blocked by the sealing material).
- the sealing material can be, for example, a solid polymer, such as nylon 66 (polyamide-66 or PA-66), which will initially melt and expand at the preheat temperature, but if heated for about an hour, will then crystallize and solidify, thereby degrading into a hard sealing plug in the reservoir and reservoir openings. The solidified sealing plug will not subsequently re-melt when heat is applied again during the extrusion process.
- nylon 66 polyamide-66 or PA-66
- other sealing materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol).
- the shape of the gap can be configured such that gravity can assist in ensuring that the openings of the reservoirs to the exterior side of the extrusion pack are fully blocked by the sealing plugs.
- the serpentine center portion 74 of the gap 70 between adjacent segments of the distribution plate is formed in the manner previously described, lying substantially along an axis in the machine direction. However, on both sides of the serpentine center portion 74, the gap 70 angles off diagonally, and the reservoirs 72 lie along the angled portions of the gap.
- the angle of the gap again changes, such that the end portions of the gap adjacent to the exterior of the pack lie parallel with the machine direction.
- gravity forces the plugging material towards the exterior openings of the reservoirs, ensuring that the plugging material oozes into and blocks the exterior openings of the reservoirs (the plugging material is too viscous to flow through the gap to the pack exterior).
- the sealing plug does not completely fill the reservoirs, the exterior openings will nevertheless be blocked and any pressure exerted by polymer seeping into the gap will not dislodge the sealing plug.
- the invention is not limited to the use of solid sealing materials that are melted and hardened during the preheating processes.
- the sealing material can optionally be a liquid caulking that is injected into and fills the reservoirs and then hardens to seal the gap.
- the fiber extrusion pack can be assembled without any sealing material in the reservoirs.
- the polymer being extruded during operation of the spunbond machine is relied upon to form solid plugs in the reservoirs.
- the size and shape of the reservoirs are such that the gradual rate at which polymer weeps into the gap and flows into the reservoirs permits the polymer to thicken and degrade into a solid plug as the polymer collects in the reservoirs. Once the solid plug develops, it blocks the flow of further polymer into the reservoirs, thereby preventing polymer from leaking to the exterior of the spin pack.
- the positions of the gaps on adjacent split distribution plates are arranged such that the gaps are non-aligned with gaps of adjacent plates.
- Fig. 8 illustrates two adjacent split, multi-piece distribution plates 80 and 82 in a spin pack, wherein, between the reservoirs 84, the gap 86 between adjacent plate segments of plate 82 is displaced is the cross direction relative to the corresponding gap 88 between adjacent plate segments of plate 82, such that the central portions of the gaps are non-aligned in adjacent layers.
- the serpentine center portions of the gaps lie substantially parallel to the machine direction but are offset from each other in the cross direction.
- the multi-layer pack has many small, independent gaps instead of one larger gap that extends through multiple layers (plates). This arrangement further reduces the likelihood of polymer leakage. Even if considerable leakage occurs on one level, the polymer must still force its way through several small gaps, creating a more difficult path for the polymer to leak to the outside of the pack.
- the separate gaps can be connected to common reservoirs formed by the aligned reservoirs of several plates, as shown in Fig. 8 .
- each of the gaps is appropriately angle such that the gaps come to common points at the reservoirs 84. This arrangement is advantageous when the sealing material is inserted into the reservoirs at assembly, since the sealing material can easily be fitted into the two common reservoirs for each set of gaps in the plates.
- Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a stack of split plates in a fiber extrusion pack 90 with the edges of a set of corresponding plate segments exposed to illustrate the effect of the gap arrangement shown in Fig. 8 .
- the segment of the top distribution plate shown has a gap in which the serpentine center portion of the gap lies along an axis that forms a line between the reservoirs.
- the plate segment below the segment of the top distribution plate has a serpentine center portion of the gap that is offset to one side of the top layer gap in the cross direction, while the next plate segment down in the stack has a serpentine center portion of the gap that is offset to the other side of the top layer gap in the cross direction.
- Fig. 9 The remain three layers shown repeat this offset pattern (i.e., center, one side, other side).
- the arrangement shown in Fig. 9 is merely illustrative, and the number of plate layers, offset configurations, and layer-to-layer pattern are not limited to the particular example shown in Fig. 9 .
- Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment in which gaps of adjacent plates are offset in the cross direction to minimize the likelihood of polymer leakage.
- Two adjacent split, multi-piece distribution plates 100 and 102 with respective gaps 104 and 106 are shown, wherein the gaps are offset from each other in the cross direction, such that the gaps are non-aligned in adjacent layers.
- each gap lies along a separate, parallel axis along the entire length of the gap such that, not only are the serpentine center portions of the gaps non-aligned, but the reservoirs 108 of plate 100 are non-aligned and independent of the reservoirs 110 of plate 102.
- the multi-layer pack has many small, independent gaps instead of one larger gap that extends through multiple layers.
- each successive plate in the pack also has its own separate reservoirs, independent of those of adjacent plates. This arrangement is less conducive to placing a sealing material in the reservoirs at assembly, but is suitable where the sealing plugs are formed by polymer weeping into the reservoirs during operation of the spunbond machine.
- Fig. 11 illustrates the effect of the configuration shown in Fig. 10 in a fiber extrusion pack 120 including a stack of split plates with gaps of successive layers offset from adjacent layers in the cross direction.
- the arrangement shown in Fig. 11 is merely illustrative, and the number of plate layers, offset configurations, and layer-to-layer pattern are not limited to the particular example shown in Fig. 11 .
- the present invention in not limited to spunbond systems and is applicable to any equipment and processes in which a molten material is distributed through distribution channels under high pressure and extruded, including, for example, melt blown systems.
- the invention is not limited to production of polymer fibers of any particular configuration and is applicable to fibers having any of a variety of shapes and cross-sectional configurations.
- the invention is most useful where most or all of the distribution plates within the fiber extrusion pack are split, multi-piece plates comprising plural segments, the invention is not strictly limited to fiber extrusion packs in which most or all of the distribution plates are split plates, and combinations of split and non-split plates may be suitable in certain instances.
- the invention may be summarized as follows:
- a fiber extrusion pack for extruding molten material to form an array of fibers includes a number of split distribution plates arranged in a stack such that each split distribution plate forms a layer within the fiber extrusion pack, and features on the split distribution plates form a distribution network that delivers the molten material to orifices in the fiber extrusion pack.
- Each of the split distribution plates includes a set of plate segments with a gap disposed between adjacent plate segments. Adjacent edges of the plate segments are shaped to form reservoirs along the gap, and sealing plugs are disposed in the reservoirs to prevent the molten material from leaking from the gaps.
- the sealing plugs can be formed by the molten material that leaks into the gap and collects and solidifies in the reservoirs or by placing a plugging material in the reservoirs at pack assembly.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Spinning Methods And Devices For Manufacturing Artificial Fibers (AREA)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07020537A EP2050843B1 (de) | 2007-10-19 | 2007-10-19 | Faserextrusionspaket mit geteilten Verteilungsplatten |
AT07020537T ATE524580T1 (de) | 2007-10-19 | 2007-10-19 | Faserextrusionspaket mit geteilten verteilungsplatten |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07020537A EP2050843B1 (de) | 2007-10-19 | 2007-10-19 | Faserextrusionspaket mit geteilten Verteilungsplatten |
Publications (2)
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EP2050843A1 true EP2050843A1 (de) | 2009-04-22 |
EP2050843B1 EP2050843B1 (de) | 2011-09-14 |
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EP07020537A Active EP2050843B1 (de) | 2007-10-19 | 2007-10-19 | Faserextrusionspaket mit geteilten Verteilungsplatten |
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EP (1) | EP2050843B1 (de) |
AT (1) | ATE524580T1 (de) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN103320874A (zh) * | 2013-05-31 | 2013-09-25 | 吉铨精密机械(苏州)有限公司 | 一种丝股铸带头的分配板 |
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KR20140136496A (ko) * | 2012-03-22 | 2014-11-28 | 릴라이언스 인더스트리즈 리미티드 | 방사 생산성을 향상시키기 위한 방사노즐 |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2758869A1 (de) | 1977-12-30 | 1979-07-05 | Werkstaetten Fuer Praezisionsm | Spinnduesen- oder lochplatte fuer spinnkoepfe o.dgl. |
WO1991007528A1 (de) * | 1989-11-16 | 1991-05-30 | Fourné Maschinenbau Gmbh | Blasfaser-spinndüsenanordnung |
US20020094352A1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2002-07-18 | Ying Guo | Bicomponent filament spin pack used in spunbond production |
-
2007
- 2007-10-19 EP EP07020537A patent/EP2050843B1/de active Active
- 2007-10-19 AT AT07020537T patent/ATE524580T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2758869A1 (de) | 1977-12-30 | 1979-07-05 | Werkstaetten Fuer Praezisionsm | Spinnduesen- oder lochplatte fuer spinnkoepfe o.dgl. |
WO1991007528A1 (de) * | 1989-11-16 | 1991-05-30 | Fourné Maschinenbau Gmbh | Blasfaser-spinndüsenanordnung |
US20020094352A1 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2002-07-18 | Ying Guo | Bicomponent filament spin pack used in spunbond production |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103320874A (zh) * | 2013-05-31 | 2013-09-25 | 吉铨精密机械(苏州)有限公司 | 一种丝股铸带头的分配板 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2050843B1 (de) | 2011-09-14 |
ATE524580T1 (de) | 2011-09-15 |
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