WO1997043478A2 - Polymeric strands with enhanced tensile strength, nonwoven webs including such strands, and methods for making same - Google Patents
Polymeric strands with enhanced tensile strength, nonwoven webs including such strands, and methods for making same Download PDFInfo
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- WO1997043478A2 WO1997043478A2 PCT/US1997/007173 US9707173W WO9743478A2 WO 1997043478 A2 WO1997043478 A2 WO 1997043478A2 US 9707173 W US9707173 W US 9707173W WO 9743478 A2 WO9743478 A2 WO 9743478A2
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- WIPO (PCT)
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- melt
- strand
- extrudable polymer
- polymer
- ultrasonic energy
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
- B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
- B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
- B01F23/41—Emulsifying
- B01F23/411—Emulsifying using electrical or magnetic fields, heat or vibrations
- B01F23/4111—Emulsifying using electrical or magnetic fields, heat or vibrations using vibrations
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
- B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
- B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
- B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
- B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
- B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
- B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
- B05B17/0623—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers coupled with a vibrating horn
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/05—Filamentary, e.g. strands
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/14—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the particular extruding conditions, e.g. in a modified atmosphere or by using vibration
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- 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
- D01D1/00—Treatment of filament-forming or like material
- D01D1/04—Melting filament-forming substances
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- 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
- D01D5/24—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like with a hollow structure; Spinnerette packs therefor
- D01D5/247—Discontinuous hollow structure or microporous structure
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
- D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
- D04H1/54—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
- D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
- D04H3/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
- D04H3/08—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating
- D04H3/14—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with bonds between thermoplastic yarns or filaments produced by welding
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M27/00—Apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture, by catalysts, electric means, magnetism, rays, sound waves, or the like
- F02M27/08—Apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture, by catalysts, electric means, magnetism, rays, sound waves, or the like by sonic or ultrasonic waves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M43/00—Fuel-injection apparatus operating simultaneously on two or more fuels, or on a liquid fuel and another liquid, e.g. the other liquid being an anti-knock additive
- F02M43/04—Injectors peculiar thereto
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M69/00—Low-pressure fuel-injection apparatus ; Apparatus with both continuous and intermittent injection; Apparatus injecting different types of fuel
- F02M69/04—Injectors peculiar thereto
- F02M69/041—Injectors peculiar thereto having vibrating means for atomizing the fuel, e.g. with sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D11/00—Burners using a direct spraying action of liquid droplets or vaporised liquid into the combustion space
- F23D11/34—Burners using a direct spraying action of liquid droplets or vaporised liquid into the combustion space by ultrasonic means or other kinds of vibrations
- F23D11/345—Burners using a direct spraying action of liquid droplets or vaporised liquid into the combustion space by ultrasonic means or other kinds of vibrations with vibrating atomiser surfaces
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
- B29C48/08—Flat, e.g. panels flexible, e.g. films
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
- B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
- B29C48/10—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels flexible, e.g. blown foils
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
- B29K2023/10—Polymers of propylene
- B29K2023/12—PP, i.e. polypropylene
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/731—Filamentary material, i.e. comprised of a single element, e.g. filaments, strands, threads, fibres
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
- Y10T428/2913—Rod, strand, filament or fiber
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
- Y10T428/2913—Rod, strand, filament or fiber
- Y10T428/298—Physical dimension
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
- Y10T442/696—Including strand or fiber material which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous compositions, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]
Definitions
- This invention relates to polymeric strands made by melt-extruding a polymer and nonwoven webs made with such strands.
- the melt-extrusion of liquids such as, for example, thermoplastic polymers
- the melt-extrusion of liquids generally involves forcing a molten polymer through a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of molten threadlines, contacting the molten threadlines with a fluid, usually air, directed so as to form strands (filaments or fibers) and attenuate them.
- the attenuated strands then are randomly deposited on a surface to form a nonwoven web.
- Meltblowing references include, by way of example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,016,599 to Perry, Jr., 3,704,198 to Prentice, 3,755,527 to Keller et al., 3,849,241 to Butin et al., 3,978,185 to Butin et al., and 4,663,220 to Wisneski et al. See, also, V. A. Wente, "Superfine Thermoplastic Fibers", Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Vol. 48, No. 8, pp. 1342-1346 (1956); V. A.
- Coforming references i.e., references disclosing a meltblowing process in which fibers or particles are commingled with the meltblown fibers as they are formed
- spunbonding references include, among others, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,341 ,394 to Kinney, 3,655,862 to Dorschner et al., 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., 3,705,068 to Dobo et al., 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., 3,853,651 to Porte, 4,064,605 to Akiyama et al., 4,091,140 to Harmon, 4,100,319 to Schwartz, 4,340,563 to Appel and Morman, 4,405,297 to Appel and Morman, 4,434,204 to Hartman et al., 4,627,811 to Greiser and Wagner, and 4,644,045 to Fowells.
- Nonwoven webs have many uses including cleaning products such as towels and industrial wipes, personal care items such as incontinence products, infant care products, and absorbent feminine care products, and garments such as medical apparel.
- Polymeric strands with a high level of strength, particularly, tensile strength or tenacity, are often desirable for these applications.
- Typical methods of enhancing the tensile strength of a fiber or filament include increasing the denier of the fiber or filament, changing the polymer to a higher strength polymer, or adding strength enhancing ingredients to the polymer. Although these methods are often suitable, they can affect other physical properties of melt-extruded polymeric strands and nonwoven materials made therewith, such as softness and feel. Accordingly, there remains a need for melt-extruded strands and nonwovens with enhanced strength and methods of making such strands without substantially altering other physical properties of the materials.
- This invention addresses some of the needs described above by providing a melt-extruded polymeric strand having enhanced tensile strength, particularly, an enhanced tenacity.
- This invention also encompasses a method for making such a strand by extruding a melt-extrudable polymer while applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the melt-extrudable polymer.
- This invention further encompasses a nonwoven web and a method for making a nonwoven web comprising such a melt-extruded polymeric strand. More particularly, the melt-extruded polymeric strand of this invention has enhanced tensile strength formed by extruding a melt-extrudable polymer while subjecting the a portion of the polymer to ultrasonic energy.
- the melt-extrudable polymeric strand has a tenacity which is about 1.5 to about 3 times the tenacity of an otherwise identical strand not made by applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the melt-extrudable polymer while the melt-extrudable polymer is extruded.
- the strand has a tenacity within a range from about 0.3 to about 0.9g/denier.
- the method of this invention for making polymeric strands with enhanced strength includes extruding a melt-extrudable polymer through a die assembly, applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the melt-extrudable polymer, and attenuating the extruded polymer to form a strand.
- the die assembly includes a die housing and a device for applying ultrasonic energy to the melt-extrudable polymer.
- the die housing comprises a chamber adapted to receive the melt-extrudable polymer, an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the melt-extrudable polymer, and an exit orifice defined by the walls of a die tip. The exit orifice is adapted to receive the melt-extrudable polymer from the chamber and pass the melt-extrudable polymer out of the die housing.
- the ultrasonic energy is applied to a portion of the melt-extrudable polymer within the chamber and without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip, while the exit orifice receives the melt-extrudable polymer from the die housing chamber. Consequently, as the melt-extrudable polymer passes out of the exit orifice in the die tip, the melt-extrudable polymer is at least partially oriented and the tensile strength of the strand is enhanced.
- Nonwoven webs made with the above-described polymeric strands are made by depositing the polymeric strands onto a collecting surface such as in meltblowing, coforming, or spunbonding techniques.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an apparatus for making an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating average load versus displacement values for a strand made according to an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating average load versus displacement values for a conventional polymeric strand made without the use of ultrasonic energy.
- this invention encompasses melt-extruded polymeric strands with enhanced tensile strength, nonwoven webs made with such strands and methods for making the foregoing.
- an apparatus for use in making strands in accordance with an embodiment of this invention is described, followed by a description of methods for using the apparatus and particular examples of polymeric strands made with the apparatus.
- strand refers to an elongated extrudate formed by passing a polymer through a forming orifice such as a die.
- Strands include fibers, which are discontinuous strands having a definite length, and filaments, which are continuous strands of material.
- nonwoven web means a web of material which has been formed without use of weaving processes which produce a structure of individual strands which are interwoven in an identifiable repeating manner.
- Nonwoven webs may be formed by a variety of processes such as meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, film aperturing processes, coforming processes, and staple fiber carding processes.
- tenacity means the tensile strength of a strand for a given size of strand and the term “tensile strength” means the maximum stress a material subjected to a stretching load can withstand without tearing.
- thermoplastic polymer and “thermoplastic material” refer to a high polymer that softens when exposed to heat and returns to its original condition when cooled to room temperature.
- the terms are meant to include any thermoplastic polymer which is capable of being melt-extruded.
- the term also is meant to include blends of two or more polymers and alternating, random, and block copolymers.
- thermoplastic polymers include, by way of illustration only, end-capped polyacetals, such as poly(oxymethylene) or polyformaldehyde, poly(trichloroacetaldehyde), poly(n-valeraldehyde), poly(acetaldehyde), poly(propionaldehyde), and the like; acrylic polymers, such as polyacrylamide, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(ethyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), and the like; fluorocarbon polymers, such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene), perfluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene), ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinyl fluoride), and the like; polyamides, such as poly(6-aminocaproic acid) or poly( -(
- thermoplastic polymer may be a polyolefin, examples of which are listed above.
- thermoplastic polymer may be a polyolefin which contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms and which is prepared by the addition polymerization of one or more unsaturated monomers.
- polystyrene examples include, among others, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(l-butene), poly(2-butene), poly( 1-pentene), poly(2-pentene), poly(3-methyl-1 -pentene), poly(4-methyl-1 -pentene), 1 ,2-poly-1 ,3-butadiene, 1 ,4-poly-1 ,3-butadiene, polyisoprene, polystyrene, and the like, as well as blends of two or more such polyolefins and alternating, random, and block copolymers prepared from two or more different unsaturated monomers.
- node means the point on the longitudinal excitation axis of the ultrasonic horn at which no longitudinal motion of the horn occurs upon excitation by ultrasonic energy.
- the node sometimes is referred to in the art, as well as in this specification, as the nodal point.
- close proximity is used herein in a qualitative sense only. That is, the term is used to mean that the means for applying ultrasonic energy is sufficiently close to the exit orifice (e.g., extrusion orifice) to apply the ultrasonic energy primarily to the melt-extrudable polymer passing into the exit orifice (e.g., extrusion orifice). The term is not used in the sense of defining specific distances from the extrusion orifice.
- the apparatus of the present invention includes a die housing and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of a pressurized liquid such as a molten thermoplastic polymer.
- the die housing defines a chamber adapted to receive the melt-extrudable polymer, an inlet (e.g., inlet orifice) adapted to supply the chamber with the melt-extrudable polymer, and an exit orifice (e.g., extrusion orifice) adapted to receive the melt-extrudable polymer from the chamber and pass the melt-extrudable polymer out of the exit orifice of the die housing.
- the means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber.
- the means for applying ultrasonic energy can be located partially within the chamber or the means for applying ultrasonic energy can be located entirely within the chamber.
- the apparatus 100 includes a die housing 102 which defines a chamber 104 adapted to receive a pressurized liquid such as molten thermoplastic polymer.
- the die housing 102 has a first end 106 and a second end 108.
- the die housing 102 also has an inlet 110 (e.g., inlet orifice) adapted to supply the chamber 104 with the melt-extrudable polymer.
- An exit orifice 112 (which may also be referred to as an extrusion orifice) is located in the first end 106 of the die housing 102; it is adapted to receive the melt-extrudable polymer from the chamber 104 and pass the melt-extrudable polymer out of the die housing 102 along a first axis 114.
- An ultrasonic horn 116 is located in the second end 108 of the die housing 102. The ultrasonic horn has a first end 118 and a second end 120.
- the horn 116 is located in the second end 108 of the die housing 102 in a manner such that the first end 118 of the horn 116 is located outside of the die housing 102 and the second end 120 of the horn 116 is located inside the die housing 102, within the chamber 104, and is in close proximity to the exit orifice 112.
- the horn 116 is adapted, upon excitation by ultrasonic energy, to have a nodal point 122 and a longitudinal mechanical excitation axis 124.
- the first axis 114 and the mechanical excitation axis 124 will be substantially parallel. More desirably, the first axis 114 and the mechanical excitation axis 124 will substantially coincide, as shown in FIG. 1.
- the size and shape of the apparatus of the present invention can vary widely, depending, at least in part, on the number and arrangement of exit orifices (e.g., extrusion orifices) and the operating frequency of the means for applying ultrasonic energy.
- the die housing may be cylindrical, rectangular, or any other shape.
- the die housing may have a single exit orifice or a plurality of exit orifices.
- a plurality of exit orifices may be arranged in a pattern, including but not limited to, a linear or a circular pattern.
- the means for applying ultrasonic energy is located within the chamber, typically at least partially surrounded by the melt-extrudable polymer. Such means is adapted to apply the ultrasonic energy to the melt-extrudable polymer as it passes into the exit orifice. Stated differently, such means is adapted to apply ultrasonic energy to a portion of the melt-extrudable polymer in the vicinity of each exit orifice. Such means may be located completely or partially within the chamber.
- the horn When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is an ultrasonic horn, the horn conveniently extends through the die housing, such as through the first end of the housing as identified in FIG. 1.
- the horn may extend through a wall of the die housing, rather than through an end.
- neither the first axis nor the longitudinal excitation axis of the horn need to be vertical.
- the longitudinal mechanical excitation axis of the horn may be at an angle to the first axis.
- the longitudinal mechanical excitation axis of the ultrasonic horn desirably will be substantially parallel with the first axis. More desirably, the longitudinal mechanical excitation axis of the ultrasonic horn desirably and the first axis will substantially coincide, as shown in FIG. 1.
- more than one means for applying ultrasonic energy may be located within the chamber defined by the die housing. Moreover, a single means may apply ultrasonic energy to the portion of the melt-extrudable polymer which is in the vicinity of one or more exit orifices.
- the ultrasonic horn may be composed of a magnetostrictive material.
- the horn may be surrounded by a coil (which may be immersed in the melt-extrudable polymer) capable of inducing a signal into the magnetostrictive material causing it to vibrate at ultrasonic frequencies.
- the ultrasonic horn can simultaneously be the transducer and the means for applying ultrasonic energy to the melt-extrudable polymer.
- the application of ultrasonic energy to a plurality of exit orifices may be accomplished by a variety of methods.
- the second end of the horn may have a cross-sectional area which is sufficiently large so as to apply ultrasonic energy to the portion of the melt-extrudable polymer which is in the vicinity of all of the exit orifices in the die housing.
- the second end of the ultrasonic horn desirably will have a cross-sectional area approximately the same as or greater than a minimum area which encompasses all exit orifices in the die housing (i.e., a minimum area which is the same as or greater than the sum of the areas of the exit orifices in the die housing originating in the same chamber).
- the second end of the horn may have a plurality of protrusions, or tips, equal in number to the number of exit orifices.
- the cross-sectional area of each protrusion or tip desirably will be approximately the same as or less than the cross-sectional area of the exit orifice with which the protrusion or tip is in close proximity.
- planar relationship between the second end of the ultrasonic horn and an array of exit orifices may also be shaped (e.g., parabolically, hemispherically, or provided with a shallow curvature) to provide or correct for certain spray patterns.
- the term "close proximity" is used herein to mean that the means for applying ultrasonic energy is sufficiently close to the exit orifice to apply the ultrasonic energy primarily to the melt-extrudable polymer passing into the exit orifice.
- the actual distance of the means for applying ultrasonic energy from the exit orifice in any given situation will depend upon a number of factors, some of which are the flow rate of the melt-extrudable polymer (e.g., the flow rate, Theological characteristics or the viscosity of melt-extrudable polymer), the cross-sectional area of the end of the means for applying the ultrasonic energy relative to the cross-sectional area of the exit orifice, the frequency of the ultrasonic energy, the gain of the means for applying the ultrasonic energy (e.g., the magnitude of the longitudinal mechanical excitation of the means for applying ultrasonic energy), the temperature of the melt-extrudable polymer, the rheological characteristics of the melt-extrudable polymer, and the rate at which the melt-extrudable polymer
- the distance of the means for applying ultrasonic energy from the exit orifice in a given situation may be determined readily by one having ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. In practice, such distance will be in the range of from about 0.002 inch (about 0.05 mm) to about 1.3 inches (about 33 mm), although greater distances can be employed. Such distance determines the extent to which ultrasonic energy is applied to the melt-extrudable polymer other than that which is about to enter the exit orifice; i.e., the greater the distance, the greater the amount of melt-extrudable polymer which is subjected to ultrasonic energy.
- the means for applying ultrasonic energy is an immersed ultrasonic horn having a longitudinal mechanical excitation axis and in which the end of the horn located in the die housing nearest the orifice is in close proximity to the exit orifice but does not apply ultrasonic energy directly to the exit orifice.
- the exit orifice is adapted to be self-cleaning when the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited with ultrasonic energy (without applying ultrasonic energy directly to the orifice) while the exit orifice receives pressurized melt-extrudable polymer from the chamber and passes the melt-extrudable polymer out of the die housing.
- melt-extruded polymeric strands are formed with the extruder apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 by introducing a melt-extrudable polymer into the chamber 104 of the die housing 102 through the inlet 110 and exciting the ultrasonic horn 116 as the melt-extrudable polymer is extruded through the exit orifice 112.
- the ultrasonic energy applied by the ultrasonic horn 116 applies ultrasonic energy to a portion of the melt-extrudable polymer within the chamber and without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip, while the melt-extrudable polymer is received and extruded through the exit orifice 112.
- the extruded polymer is attenuated to form a strand.
- the attenuation of the extruded polymer can be accomplished mechanically or by entraining the fiber in a fluid such as in a meltblowing or spunbonding process.
- a nonwoven web from the extruded strand, the strand is randomly deposited on a collecting surface.
- Nonwoven webs can also be prepared by extruding the melt-extrudable polymer and forming a strand, cutting the strand into staple fibers, and carding the staple fibers into a nonwoven web which can be subsequently bonded by known means.
- melt-extruded polymeric strand depend largely on the melt-extruded polymer. Suitable melt-extrudable polymers are described above.
- the polymeric strand formed with the melt-extrudable polymer and the application of ultrasonic energy as described above has a tenacity which is about 1.5 to about 3 times the tenacity of an otherwise identical strand made without the application of ultrasonic energy.
- the tenacity of the strand can range from about 0.3 to about 0.9 g/denier.
- such a melt-extruded high tensile strength polymeric strand has a denier within the range from about 0.006 to about 250.
- the die housing 102 of the apparatus was a cylinder having an outer diameter of 1.375 inches (about 34.9 mm), an inner diameter of 0.875 inch (about 22.2 mm), and a length of 3.086 inches (about 78.4 mm).
- the outer 0.312-inch (about 7.9-mm) portion of the second end 108 of the die housing was threaded with 16-pitch threads.
- the inside of the second end had a beveled edge 126, or chamfer, extending from the face 128 of the second end toward the first end 106 a distance of 0.125 inch (about 3.2 mm). The chamfer reduced the inner diameter of the die housing at the face of the second end to 0.75 inch (about 19.0 mm).
- An inlet 110 (also called an inlet orifice) was drilled in the die housing, the center of which was 0.688 inch (about 17.5 mm) from the first end, and tapped.
- the inner wall of the die housing consisted of a cylindrical portion 130 and a conical frustrum portion 132.
- the cylindrical portion extended from the chamfer at the second end toward the first end to within 0.992 inch (about 25.2 mm) from the face of the first end.
- the conical frustrum portion extended from the cylindrical portion a distance of 0.625 inch (about 15.9 mm), terminating at a threaded opening 134 in the first end.
- the diameter of the threaded opening was 0.375 inch (about 9.5 mm); such opening was 0.367 inch (about 9.3 mm) in length.
- a die tip 136 was located in the threaded opening of the first end.
- the die tip consisted of a threaded cylinder 138 having a circular shoulder portion 140.
- the shoulder portion was 0.125 inch (about 3.2 mm) thick and had two parallel faces (not shown) 0.5 inch (about 12.7 mm) apart.
- An exit orifice 112 also called an extrusion orifice was drilled in the shoulder portion and extended toward the threaded portion a distance of 0.087 inch (about 2.2 mm).
- the diameter of the extrusion orifice was 0.0145 inch (about 0.37 mm).
- the extrusion orifice terminated within the die tip at a vestibular portion 142 having a diameter of 0.125 inch (about 3.2 mm) and a conical frustrum portion 144 which joined the vestibular portion with the extrusion orifice.
- the wall of the conical frustrum portion was at an angle of 30° from the vertical.
- the vestibular portion extended from the extrusion orifice to the end of the threaded portion of the die tip, thereby connecting the chamber defined by the die housing with the extrusion orifice.
- the means for applying ultrasonic energy was a cylindrical ultrasonic horn 116.
- the horn was machined to resonate at a frequency of 20 kHz.
- the horn had a length of 5.198 inches (about 132.0 mm), which was equal to one-half of the resonating wavelength, and a diameter of 0.75 inch (about 19.0 mm).
- the face 146 of the first end 118 of the horn was drilled and tapped for a 3/8-inch (about 9.5-mm) stud (not shown).
- the horn was machined with a collar 148 at the nodal point 122.
- the collar was 0.094-inch (about 2.4-mm) wide and extended outwardly from the cylindrical surface of the horn 0.062 inch (about 1.6 mm).
- the diameter of the horn at the collar was 0.875 inch (about 22.2 mm).
- the second end 120 of the horn terminated in a small cylindrical tip 150 0.125 inch (about 3.2 mm) long and 0.125 inch (about 3.2 mm) in diameter.
- Such tip was separated from the cylindrical body of the horn by a parabolic frustrum portion 152 approximately 0.5 inch (about 13 mm) in length. That is, the curve of this frustrum portion as seen in cross-section was parabolic in shape.
- the face of the small cylindrical tip was normal to the cylindrical wall of the horn and was located about 0.4 inch (about 10 mm) from the extrusion orifice.
- the face of the tip of the horn i.e., the second end of the horn, was located immediately above the vestibular opening in the threaded end of the die tip.
- the first end 108 of the die housing was sealed by a threaded cap 154 which also served to hold the ultrasonic horn in place.
- the threads extended upwardly toward the top of the cap a distance of 0.312 inch (about 7.9 mm).
- the outside diameter of the cap was 2.00 inches (about 50.8 mm) and the length or thickness of the cap was 0.531 inch (about 13.5 mm).
- the opening in the cap was sized to accommodate the horn; that is, the opening had a diameter of 0.75 inch (about 19.0 mm).
- the edge of the opening in the cap was a chamfer 156 which was the mirror image of the chamfer at the second end of the die housing.
- the thickness of the cap at the chamfer was 0.125 inch (about 3.2 mm), which left a space between the end of the threads and the bottom of the chamfer of 0.094 inch (about 2.4 mm), which space was the same as the length of the collar on the horn.
- the diameter of such space was 1.104 inch (about 28.0 mm).
- the top 158 of the cap had drilled in it four 1/4-inch diameter x 1/4-inch deep holes (not shown) at 90° intervals to accommodate a pin spanner.
- the collar of the horn was compressed between the two chamfers upon tightening the cap, thereby sealing the chamber defined by the die housing.
- a Branson elongated aluminum waveguide having an inputoutput mechanical excitation ratio of 1:1.5 was coupled to the ultrasonic horn by means of a 3/8-inch (about 9.5-mm) stud.
- a Branson Model 502 Converter which was powered by a Branson Model 1120 Power Supply operating at 20 kHz (Branson Sonic Power Company, Danbury, Connecticut). Power consumption was monitored with a Branson Model A410A Wattmeter.
- a high tensile strength polymeric strand was made in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- a Grid Melter, Model GM-25-1 hydraulic pump system obtained from J&M Laboratories Inc. of Dawsonville, Georgia was used to pump molten polymer through the extrusion apparatus.
- the device has the capability to process up to 25 pounds of polymer per hour (about 11 kilograms per hour), and has an integral variable speed gear pump with a displacement of 1.752 cc/revolution.
- Temperature of the melt is regulated in two zones, premelt and main melt. Pressure is limited and regulated by an internal variable by-pass valve, and indicated by digital readout resolved to increments of 10 psi.
- Pump drive speed is controlled by a panel mounted potentiometer.
- the Grid Melter was used to melt and pressurize a thermoplastic polymer.
- the polymer used was Himont HH-441 (Himont HH-441 , Himont Company, Wilmington, Delaware), a polypropylene having no melt processing additives and a melt flow rate of 400 grams per 10 minutes, or g/10 min.
- the melt flow rate is expressed in units of mass divided by time (i.e., grams/10 minutes).
- the melt flow rate was determined by measuring the mass of molten thermoplastic polymer under a 2.160 kg load that flowed through an orifice diameter of 2.0995 + 0.0051 mm during a specified time period such as, for example, 10 minutes at a specified temperature such as, for example, 180°C as determined in accordance with ASTM Test Method D 1238-82, "Standard Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastic By Extrusion Plastometer," using a Model VE 4-78 Extrusion Plastometer (Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co., Willow Grove, Pennsylvania).
- the Grid Melter pump drive speed was arbitrarily set at approximately 30 percent of the potentiometer range, and pressure was set and controlled by adjusting the by-pass valve.
- a 9-inch (about 23-cm) length of 1/4-inch (about 6.4-mm) diameter stainless steel tubing was attached from the outlet of the Grid Melter to the inlet of the die housing.
- the tubing and the extrusion cup were wrapped with heat tape as two zones, and the two zones were set and controlled by automatic heat controllers.
- the heat zones in both the grid melter and the extrusion apparatus were set to 360° F and allowed to stabilize.
- a polymeric strand was made in accordance with the procedure of Example 1 except that the pressure of the grid melter was adjusted to 270 psi, the polymer flow rate was 1.43 grams per minute, and no ultrasonic energy was applied.
- the strand had a linear density of 254.46 denier.
- the mean tenacity at break of the strand from Example 1 was 0.4374 grams per denier and the mean tenacity at break of the strand from Comparative Example 2 was 0.1975 grams per denier. Accordingly, the tenacity of the strand from Example 1 made according to an embodiment of the present invention was more than twice that of the strand of Example 2 made without the application of ultrasonic energy. In terms of toughness, or energy absorbed, however, the values were lower for the strand made according to Example 1 than for the strand made according to Example 2.
- the graphs in Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the difference in the tenacity of the strand of Example 1 made according to an embodiment of the present invention and the strand of Example 2 which is made without the application of ultrasonic energy.
- the graphs and Figs. 2 and 3 plot the average load in grams on the strands versus the displacement of the strand by the load in inches.
- the curve illustrated in Fig. 3 for the strand of Example 2 shows a period of little load increase up to about 7 inches displacement, then a sharp increase in load up to the average point of break, which was under 10 inches.
- Example 2 for the sample from Example 1 shows an immediate rise in load at the onset of displacement, and the load increases at a substantially linear rate to the average point of break. This indicates that the strand made without the application of ultrasonic energy undergoes a period of crystal alignment during the initial displacement, with ultimate alignment occurring at the point where the load curve turns positive. It also indicates that there is a high degree of molecular orientation present in the strand formed in accordance with Example 1 using ultrasonic energy.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
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CA 2249333 CA2249333A1 (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1997-04-28 | Polymeric strands with enhanced tensile strength, nonwoven webs including such strands, and methods for making same |
AU29281/97A AU2928197A (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1997-04-28 | Polymeric strands with enhanced tensile strength, nonwoven webs including such strands, and methods for making same |
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US08/644,591 US6020277A (en) | 1994-06-23 | 1996-05-10 | Polymeric strands with enhanced tensile strength, nonwoven webs including such strands, and methods for making same |
US08/644,591 | 1996-05-10 |
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WO1997043478A2 true WO1997043478A2 (en) | 1997-11-20 |
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AU (1) | AU2928197A (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6020277A (en) | 2000-02-01 |
AU2928197A (en) | 1997-12-05 |
WO1997043478A3 (en) | 1997-12-31 |
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