Patent ID: 7939010
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: D01D,D01F

Abstract:
1. A method for creating fibers from a material dissolved in a solvent, the method including the following steps: feeding a starch fiber making material comprising starch dissolved in a solvent through a die including a spinnerette having at least two rows of nozzles to form fiber strands and one or more attenuation medium passages having a minimum cross-sectional area for providing an attenuation medium about the fiber strands, the die further including a cover plate disposed adjacent at least a portion of the spinnerette, the cover plate having therein a cover plate opening into which one or more of the nozzles may extend, the cover plate opening having a limiting cross-sectional area wherein the minimum cross-sectional area of the one or more attenuation medium passages is greater than the limiting cross-sectional area of the cover plate opening; and providing an attenuation medium through the one or more attenuation medium passages and about the fiber strands, the attenuation medium being provided in a direction that is generally parallel to the fiber strands such that the attenuation medium elongates the fiber strands, the attenuation medium having a relative solvent-vapor content of at least about 50 percent and wherein the attenuation medium experiences a pressure drop prior to contacting the fiber strands.