Patent ID: 6830656
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: B01D,D21B,D21F,D21H,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for forming a nonwoven fibrous web comprised of metal or refractory fibers with nylon as a binder, which comprises:(i) forming a foam furnish by agitating metal or refractory fibers in a foamed medium with an apparatus comprising agitation means mounted for displacement within the foamed medium, said agitating means comprising a leading surface facing in a direction of displacement, the leading surface including upper and lower portions converging in the direction of displacement to form a generally convex leading surface, and said agitating means also comprising a non-convex trailing surface facing away from the direction of displacement; and driving means for displacing the agitating means in the direction of displacement for dispersing and separating the fibers within the foamed medium; and (ii) passing the foam furnish onto a screen and defoaming the furnish to form a nonwoven web; and (iii) drying the formed web at a temperature sufficient to melt the nylon contained in the web.