Patent ID: 6182732
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B32B,D01D,D04H

Abstract:
A die assembly for manufacturing a thermoplastic nonwoven web, the die assembly comprising(a) melt spinning assembly which includes a die body having a cavity, an air passage, and a polymer flow passage, said air passage and polymer flow passage each having an inlet and an outlet discharging into said cavity;(b) a moveable collector disposed under said melt spinning assembly;(c) a meltblowing die insert comprising (i) a die tip having a polymer flow passage and an air passage, and a nosepiece having polymer discharge orifices in fluid communication with said die tip polymer flow passage, and (ii) air orifices in fluid communication with said die tip air passage, said meltblowing die insert being mountable in said cavity wherein said air passage of said die body is in fluid communication with said air passage of said die tip, and wherein said polymer flow passage of said die body is in fluid communication with said polymer flow passage of said die tip;(d) a spunbond die insert comprising a spinning plate with a polymer flow passage, said spunbond insert being mountable in said cavity wherein said air passage in said die body is blocked and wherein said polymer flow passage of said spinning plate is in fluid communication with said polymer flow passage of said die body;(e) means for selectively inserting and for securing said meltblowing die insert or said spunbond die insert in said cavity of said die body;(f) a moveable structure for supporting said melt spinning assembly; and(g) means for moving said melt spinning assembly vertically to adjust the distance between said collector and said spunbond die insert to an upper position or the distance between said collector and said meltblowing die insert to a lower position.