Patent ID: 8303874
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: B29C,D01D

Abstract:
1. A fiber forming process comprising the steps of: supplying a spinning solution having at least one polymer dissolved in at least one solvent to a rotary sprayer having a rotating conical nozzle, the nozzle having a curved concave inner surface and a forward surface discharge edge; issuing the spinning solution from the rotary sprayer along the curved concave inner surface so as to distribute said spinning solution toward the forward surface of the discharge edge of the nozzle; and forming separate fibrous streams which are thrown off the discharge edge by centrifugal force from the spinning solution while the solvent vaporizes to produce continuous polymeric fibers in the absence of an electrical field, wherein the fibers have an average fiber diameter of less than about 1,000 nm; wherein the nozzle further comprises a distributor disk for directing the spinning solution towards the concave inner surface of the nozzle.