Patent ID: 6168409
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B29C,B29L,D01D

Abstract:
Apparatus for making fibers or continuous filaments consisting of a first (A) and a second (B) components, said apparatus including: (a) a first plate (12) having an inlet (18) for receiving said first fiber component (A), and having a first plurality of openings (26) through which said first fiber component (A) flows to an outlet end (28) in said openings (26); (b) a second plate (10), juxtaposed with said plate (12) and having a second plurality of openings (36) therein, which are generally axially aligned with said first plurality of openings (26) in said first plate (12), and said second plate (10) having a flow channel permitting said second fiber component (B) to flow to said second openings (36) and out through an outlet end of said second openings; and (c) a plurality of flexible hollow tube members (38) being mounted to extend axially into said second plurality of openings (36), such flexible hollow tube members (38) having one end being located adjacent said outlet end (28) of one of said first plurality of openings (26), with the other end of each said flexible tube member (38) being located adjacent the outlet end of said second openings (36), said flexible tube members (38) having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of said second openings (36) and being sufficiently flexible to accommodate any misalignment of said first openings (26) relative to said second openings (36) without adversely affecting the flow of said first and second fiber components, and said flexible tube members (38) including structural elements extending between said flexible tube members (38) and the interior wall of said second openings (36) to center said other end of said flexible tube members (38) in such second openings (36).