APPARATUS FOR MAKING A HIGH LOFT, NON-WOVEN WEB EXHIBITING EXCELLENT RECOVERY

摘要

An apparatus for making a high loft, non-woven web exhibiting excellent recovery is disclosed. The web has a 3-dimensional structure with fibers oriented in the x, y and z directions. The apparatus includes a die having 2 to 20 rows of nozzles with each row containing a plurality of nozzles. A pair of moving surfaces is located from a distal end of each nozzle. The pair of moving surfaces form a convergent passage. A pair of heaters is used to heat each of the pair of moving surfaces. A plurality of filaments are deposited onto the pair of moving surfaces and are routed through the convergent passage to form a 3-dimensional structure having two thin outer skins.

主权项

1. An apparatus for producing a high loft, non-woven web, said web having a 3-dimensional structure with fibers oriented in the x, y and z directions, said apparatus comprising:
a) a die having 2 to 20 rows of nozzles, each row containing a plurality of nozzles each ejecting a filament, and each of said plurality of nozzles having a distal end; b) a pair of moving surfaces located from between about 10 cm to about 150 cm of said distal end of each of said plurality of nozzles, and said pair of moving surfaces forming a convergent passage having an entry and an exit; c) a pair of heaters each associated with one of said pair of moving surfaces, said pair of heaters capable of heating said pair of moving surfaces to an elevated temperature; d) depositing means for depositing said plurality of filaments, free of any additional fibers, onto and between said pair of moving surfaces; and e) routing means for causing said plurality of filaments to pass through said convergent passage from said entry to said exit to form a 3-dimensional structure.