Patent ID: 9580848
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: D04H

Claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: A fiber opening chamber having an open upper end and a lower end, at least one fiber inlet for introducing a plurality of fibers into the opening chamber; a first plurality of rollers positioned within the opening chamber, each of the first plurality of rollers having a center axis of rotation, a circumferential surface, and a plurality of projections extend outwardly from the circumferential surface; at least one gas emission nozzle positioned substantially below the first plurality of rollers to direct a gas stream generally towards the open upper end of the opening chamber; and a forming chamber having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of the forming chamber is in flow communication with the upper end of the opening chamber, and the lower end of the forming chamber is substantially open and positioned above a collector having a collector surface.