Patent ID: 6737009
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: D04H

Abstract:
A process for producing spunbond nonwoven fabric, comprising the steps of:separately melting two or more polymeric components; separately directing the two or more molten polymer components through a spin beam assembly equipped with a distribution plate configured so that the separate molten polymer components combine at a multiplicity of spinnerette orifices to form filaments containing the two or more polymer components; extruding the multicomponent filaments from the spinnerette orifices into a quench chamber; directing quench air from a first independently controllable blower into the quench chamber and into contact with the filaments to cool and solidify the filaments; directing the filaments and the quench air into and through a filament attenuator and pneumatically attenuating and stretching the filaments; directing the filaments from the attenuator into and through a filament depositing unit; depositing the filaments from the depositing unit randomly upon a moving continuous air-permeable belt to form a nonwoven web of substantially continuous filaments; applying suction from a second independently controllable blower beneath the air-permeable belt so as to draw air through the depositing unit and through the air-permeable belt; and directing the web through a bonder and bonding the filaments to convert the web into a coherent nonwoven fabric.