Patent ID: 6803013
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: D01D

Abstract:
A method for forming a meltblown web, comprising:forming fibers by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of channels in a die as molten filaments; attenuating the molten filaments with a high velocity fluid stream to reduce the diameter of the filaments; depositing the attenuated filaments on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers; heating at least a tip apex portion of the die defining outlets at the ends of the channels through which the thermoplastic material is extruded with a heating element disposed relative to the tip apex portion; and maintaining the tip portion at a temperature sufficient to keep the thermoplastic material in a desired molten state primarily with the heating element so that the attenuating air may be maintained at a temperature below the melting point of the thermoplastic material; and further comprising heating the die tip apex portion with an infrared lamp.