Patent ID: 6966762
Filing Date: 2005-11-22
Classification: D01D,D04H

Abstract:
1. A machine for making a nonwoven web comprising successively from top to bottom: a cooling assembly for cooling extruded filaments to form cooled filaments, a drawing assembly with fluid jet devices providing air flow for drawing the cooled filaments, said drawing assembly including a vertical drawing slot having an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a constant horizontal cross-section through which filaments pass with air to form a laterally extending curtain of drawn filaments, said drawing slot being formed by laterally extending spaced-apart walls terminating at the outlet opening, said drawing slot having a lateral extent to receive said curtain of drawn filaments, a diffuser having an inlet zone including a diffuser inlet opening having a lateral extent to receive said curtain of drawn filaments and being connected to a diffuser outlet zone including a diffuser outlet opening, said diffuser including a divergent nozzle and an electrostatically charging rail for opening drawn filaments which pass therethrough to form opened filaments, said divergent nozzle being formed by fixed diverging walls terminating at said diffuser outlet opening, and a receiving belt for receiving said opened filaments, said diffuser outlet opening being spaced from said belt to form a receiving belt spacing, wherein an air flow slot is formed between the drawing assembly outlet opening and the diffuser inlet opening for delivery of a flow of air onto said filaments along the entire lateral extents of the openings, said air flow slot opening to ambient air for intake of air by a venturi effect produced in the divergent nozzle by air passing therethrough with said drawn filaments, and said receiving belt spacing being open to the ambient air.