GB1178809A - A Method of Producing Continuous Filaments and/or Staple Fibres from Thermoplastic Materials, and Apparatus for Performing the Method - Google Patents

Abstract

1,178,809. Filaments and fibres. METALLGESELLSCHAFT A.G. 18 Dec., 1968 [17 Jan., 1968], No. 60252/68. Heading B5B. Filaments or fibres are produced from a spinnable thermoplastic material by a method in which one or more continuous filaments is or are withdrawn from a spinning nozzle and deposited on a travelling band of finite length with a reciprocating motion in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the band, and the band is then rolled up, so that the filament(s) deposited thereon is (are) contained in the laps of the rolled band, after which the filament(s) can be withdrawn from the rolled band at a speed which is lower than the withdrawal speed from the spinning nozzle for subsequent use and/or treatment. As shown in Fig. 3 the bundle of filaments 34 leaving spinneret 33 passes through a blowing nozzle 35 which functions as an injector pump. The blowing nozzle is provided with an extension 37 which is moved to and fro by reciprocating bar 39. Two parallel rollers 20, 21 carry an endless continuously revolving air-permeable screen 22. Roller 20 is driven by, e.g. motor 23. Endless screen 22 supports an airpermeable storage band 24 of finite length upon which the filaments are deposited and then rolled up at 26. Band 24 unwinds from right hand roll 25 and is then rolled up into roll 26. The blowing medium, generally air, attains high velocities of from 200 to 800 metres/sec. in the nozzle and draws the filaments from the spinneret at a speed exceeding 1500 metres/ minute and the bundle of filaments issuing from extension 37 swings to and fro between the two extreme angular positions 40 and 41 and impinges on convex surface 30 notably a cylinder along line 42. The blowing jet and filaments rebound from the cylinder surface and strike moving band 24, moving between 1 to 10 metres/ minute, in front and below cylinder 30, along zone 43. A suction box 27 beneath the deposition zone 43 draws off the blowing medium. The axis of the cylinder surface is set at an angle of 90 to 105 degrees to the direction of travel of the band. The component of relative to and fro motion between the impinging filaments and the storage band may be generated exclusively or additionally by imparting a lateral reciprocating motion to the storage band. In another apparatus three bundles of filaments are deposited side by side on the travelling band. The deposited filament(s) may be simultaneously unrolled in a creel and combined in a rope during withdrawal. The filaments withdrawn from the rolled band may alternatively be cut wet to form staple fibres which can be used in making paper or for the production of a fleece. Examples illustrate the production of polyamide and polyolefin filaments, and it is stated that polyester filaments may be similarly made.