Meltblowing method and system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6680021
  • Patent Number
    6,680,021
  • Date Filed
    Friday, October 20, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 20, 2004
    21 years ago
Abstract
A meltblowing method and system for dispensing first and second fluids from corresponding first and second orifices of a die assembly to form a meltblown first fluid filament. The die assembly directs the first and second fluid flows parallelly, or divergently, or directs two second fluid flows convergently toward a common first fluid flow, whereby the first and second fluids are dispensed from orifices at equal first fluid flow rates and equal second fluid flow rates. The die assembly is compressably retained between opposing end plates coupled to an adapter for further coupling to a main manifold having a fluid metering device for supplying first fluid to the die assembly. The meltblown filaments are depositing onto a moving substrate by vacillating the filament non-parallel to a direction of substrate movement, whereby vacillation a first fluid flow is controllable by an angle between the first fluid flow and one or more flanking second fluid flows, among other variables.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The invention relates generally to meltblowing methods and systems, and More particularly to parallel plate meltblowing die assemblies and meltblowing system configurations useable for precisely controlling the dispensing and uniform application of meltblown adhesive filaments onto moving substrates.




Meltblowing is a process of forming fibers or filaments by drawing and attenuating a first fluid flow with shear forces from adjacent relatively high velocity second fluid flows. Molten thermoplastic flows, for example, may be drawn and attenuated by heated air flows to form meltblown thermoplastic filaments. Generally, meltblown filaments may be continuous or discontinuous, and range in size between several tenths of a micron and several hundred microns depending on the meltblown material and application requirements. Early applications for meltblowing processes included the formation of non-woven fabrics from meltblown filaments drawn to vacillate chaotically.




More recently, meltblowing processes have been used to form meltblown adhesive filaments for bonding substrates in the production of a variety of bodily fluid absorbing hygienic articles like disposable diapers and incontinence pads, sanitary napkins, patient underlays, and surgical dressings. Many of these applications, however, require a relatively high degree of control over the dispensing and application of the meltblown filaments, particularly meltblown adhesives deposited onto substrates which are extremely temperature sensitive. But meltblown filaments drawn to vacillate chaotically are not generally suitable for these and other applications requiring increased control over the dispensing and application of the meltblown filaments.




The referenced copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,080 filed Oct. 10, 1996 entitled “Meltblowing Method and Apparatus” incorporated by reference herein marked a significant advance in meltblowing technologies, and particularly for meltblowing applications requiring relatively precise control over the dispensing of individual meltblown filaments onto moving substrates. The referenced copending application is drawn generally to parallel plate die assemblies having a plurality of adhesive and air dispensing orifices arranged in a variety of spatial configurations for dispensing meltblown adhesives, and more particularly for relatively precisely controlling frequency and amplitude parameters of individual meltblown filaments to provide selective and uniform application of the filaments onto moving substrates.




The present invention is drawn to further advances in meltblowing technology, and is applicable to the dispensing of meltblown adhesive filaments onto moving substrates, especially in the production of bodily fluid absorbing hygienic articles.




It is thus an object of the invention to provide novel methods and systems for practicing meltblowing processes, and more particularly for applying meltblown adhesives onto moving substrates.




It is another object of the invention to provide novel methods and systems for practicing meltblowing processes by dispensing first and second fluids from corresponding first and second orifices of a die assembly to form second fluid flows along substantially opposing flanking sides of a first fluid flow, whereby the first fluid flow is drawn and attenuated to form a first fluid filament. A more general object of the invention is to dispense the first fluid from a plurality of first orifices and the second fluid from a plurality of second orifices to form a plurality of first and second fluid flows arranged in an array, whereby the plurality of first fluid flows are drawn and attenuated to form a plurality of first fluid filaments.




It is also an object of the invention to provide novel methods and meltblowing die assemblies for directing first and second fluid flows parallelly, or divergently, and it is another object of the invention to provide die assemblies for directing two second fluid flows convergently toward a common first fluid flow whereby the first fluid flow is directed parallelly or divergently relative to other first fluid flows. It is a related object of the invention to dispense first and second fluid flows having equal first fluid mass flow rates and equal second fluid mass flow rates to provide more uniform dispensing and control over the meltblown filaments.




It is a further object of the invention to provide novel methods and systems for practicing meltblowing processes by depositing first meltblown fluid filaments onto a moving substrate by vacillating the filaments non-parallel to a direction of substrate movement, and more generally depositing a plurality first fluid filaments onto a moving substrate by vacillating some of the plurality of first fluid filaments non-parallel and other filaments parallel to a direction of substrate movement. It is a related object of the invention to control vacillation parameters of a first fluid flow by an angle between the first fluid flow and one or more flanking second fluid flows, among other variables.




It is another object of the invention to provide novel methods and meltblowing die assemblies comprising a plurality of at least two parallel plates compressably retained between first and second end plates, and it is a related object of the invention to dispose a rivet member through an opening in the die assembly to retain the plurality of parallel plates in parallel relationship while the die assembly is compressably retained between the first and second end plates.




It is yet another object of the invention to provide novel methods and meltblowing die assemblies coupleable to an adapter or an intermediate adapter having a mounting surface with a central first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet for supplying first and second fluids to the die assembly, whereby the die assembly may be oriented in one of two directions distinguished by 90 degrees by mounting the die assembly on either the adapter or intermediate adapter. It is a related object of the invention to rotatably couple the die assembly to the intermediate adapter or to rotatably couple the adapter to a nozzle module to permit rotational orientation of the die assembly relative thereto.




It is still another object of the invention to provide novel meltblowing methods and systems including meltblowing die assemblies coupled to a fluid metering device for supplying a first fluid thereto, and to couple one or more die assemblies to a main manifold having corresponding first fluid supply conduits for supplying a first fluid from the fluid metering device to the one or more die assemblies. It is another object of the invention to couple the die assemblies to the main manifold with a plurality of corresponding nozzle modules, whereby each nozzle module supplies first and second fluids to the corresponding die assembly. And it is an alternative object of the invention to interconnect the die assemblies to the main manifold with a common nozzle adapter plate, which supplies first and second fluids to each of the plurality of die assemblies.











These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent upon consideration of the following Detailed Description of the Invention with the accompanying Drawings, which may be disproportionate for ease of understanding, wherein like structure and steps are referenced by corresponding numerals and indicators.




BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is meltblowing system including an exploded view of a meltblowing die assembly comprising a plurality of parallel plates coupleable by an adapter to a manifold having a fluid metering device for supplying a first fluid to a plurality of meltblowing die assemblies similarly coupled to the manifold.





FIGS. 2



a


-


2




i


represent a plurality of individual parallel plates of a die assembly, or body member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 3



a


is a frontal plan view of a first die retaining end plate for compressably retaining a die assembly of the type shown FIG.


2


.





FIG. 3



b


is a sectional view along lines I—I of

FIG. 3



a.







FIG. 4

is a frontal plan view of a second die retaining end plate for compressably retaining a die assembly in cooperation with the first die retaining end plate.





FIG. 5



a


is frontal plan view of a die assembly adapter.





FIG. 5



b


is an end view along lines II—II of

FIG. 5



a.







FIG. 5



c


is sectional view along lines III—III of

FIG. 5



a.







FIG. 6



a


is a sectional view along lines IV—IV of

FIG. 6



b


of an intermediate adapter coupleable with the adapter of FIG.


5


.





FIG. 6



b


is a frontal plan view of the intermediate adapter of

FIG. 6



a.







FIG. 6



c


is a top plan view along lines V—V of the intermediate adapter of

FIG. 6



b.













DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION





FIG. 1

is meltblowing system 10 useable for dispensing fluids, and particularly hot melt adhesives, onto a substrate S movable in a first direction F relative thereto. The system


10


includes generally one or more meltblowing die assemblies


100


, an exemplary one of which is shown having a plurality of at least two parallel plates, coupleable to a manifold


200


having associated therewith a fluid metering device


210


for supplying a first fluid to the one or more meltblowing die assemblies through corresponding first fluid supply conduits


230


. The system also has the capacity to supply a second fluid like heated air to the die assemblies as discussed more fully in the referenced copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/683,064 filed Jul. 16, 1996 entitled “Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator With Metering Gear-Driven Head”.




According to one aspect of the invention shown schematically in

FIG. 1

, a first fluid is dispensed from a first orifice of the die assembly


100


to form a first fluid flow F


1


at a first velocity, and a second fluid is dispensed from two second orifices to form separate second fluid flows at a second velocity F


2


along substantially opposing flanking sides of the first fluid flow F


1


. The first fluid flow F


1


located between the second fluid flows F


2


thus forms an array of first and second fluid flows. The second velocity of the second fluid flows F


2


is generally greater than the first velocity of the first fluid flow F


1


so that the second fluid flows F


2


draw the first fluid flow, wherein the drawn first fluid flow is attenuated to form a first fluid filament. In the exemplary embodiment, the second fluid flows F


2


are directed convergently toward the first fluid flow F


1


, but more generally the second fluid flows F


2


are directed non-convergently relative to the first fluid flow F


1


in parallel or divergently as disclosed more fully in the referenced copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,080 filed on Oct. 10, 1996 entitled “Meltblowing Method and Apparatus”.




More generally, the first fluid is dispensed from a plurality of first orifices to form a plurality of first fluid flows F


1


, and the second fluid is dispensed from a plurality of second orifices to form a plurality of second fluid flows F


2


, wherein the plurality of first fluid flows and the plurality of second fluid flows are arranged in a series. In convergently directed second fluid flow configurations, the plurality of first fluid flows F


1


and the plurality of second fluid flows F


2


are arranged in a series so that each of the plurality of first fluid flows F


1


is flanked on substantially opposing sides corresponding convergently directed second fluid flows F


2


as shown in

FIG. 1

, i.e. F


2


F


1


F


2


F


2


F


1


F


2


* * * . In non-convergently directed second fluid flow configurations, the plurality of first fluid flows F


1


and the plurality of second fluid flows F


2


are arranged in an alternating series so that each of the plurality of first fluid flows F


1


is flanked on substantially opposing sides by one of the second fluid flows F


2


, i.e. F


2


F


1


F


2


F


1


F


2


* * * , as disclosed more fully in the referenced copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,080 filed Oct. 10, 1996 entitled “Meltblowing Method and Apparatus”. The second velocity of the plurality of second fluid flows F


2


is generally greater than the first velocity of the plurality of first fluid flows F


1


so that the plurality of second fluid flows F


2


draw the plurality of first fluid flows, wherein the drawn plurality of first fluid flows are attenuated to form a plurality of first fluid filaments. The plurality of first fluid flows F


1


are generally alternatively directed divergently, or parallelly, or convergently.




According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of first fluid flows F


1


are dispensed from the plurality of first orifices at the same first fluid mass flow rate, and the plurality of second fluid flows F


2


are dispensed from the plurality of second orifices at the same second fluid mass flow rate. The mass flow rates of the plurality of first fluid flows, however, is not necessarily the same as the mass flow rates of the plurality of second fluid flows. Dispensing the plurality of first fluid flows at equal first fluid mass flow rates provides improved first fluid flow control and uniform dispensing of the first fluid flows from the die assembly 100, and dispensing the plurality of second fluid flows at equal second fluid mass flow rates ensures more uniform and symmetric control of the first fluid flows with the corresponding second fluid flows as discussed further herein. In one embodiment, the plurality of first orifices have equal first fluid flow paths to provide the equal first fluid mass flow rates, and the plurality of second orifices having equal second fluid flow paths to provide the equal second fluid mass flow rates.




In convergently directed second fluid flow configurations, the two second fluid flows F


2


convergently directed toward a common first fluid flow F


1


generally have equal second fluid mass flow rates. Although the two second fluid mass flow rates associated with a first fluid flow are not necessarily equal to the two second fluid mass flow rates associated with another first fluid flow. In some applications, moreover, the two second fluid flows F


2


convergently directed toward a common first fluid flow F


1


may have unequal second fluid mass flow rates to affect a particular control over the first fluid flow. Also, in some applications the mass flows rates of some of the first fluid flows are not equal to the mass flow rates of other first fluid flows, for example first fluid flows dispensed along lateral edge portions of the substrate may have a different mass flow rates than other first fluid flows dispensed onto intermediate portions of the substrate to affect edge definition. Thus, while it is generally desirable to have equal mass fluid flow rates amongst first and second fluid flows, there are applications where it is desirable to vary the mass flow rates of some of the first fluid flows relative to other first fluid flows, and similarly to vary the mass flow rates of some of the second fluid flows relative to other second fluid flows.





FIG. 1

shows a first fluid flow F


1


vacillating under the effect of the flanking second fluid flows F


2


, which for clarity are not shown. The first fluid flow F


1


vacillation is characterizable generally by an amplitude parameter and a frequency parameter, which are controllable substantially periodically or chaotically depending upon the application requirements. The vacillation is controllable, for example, by varying a spacing between the first fluid flow F


1


and one or more of the second fluid flows F


2


, or by varying the amount of one or more of the second fluid flows F


2


, or by varying a velocity of one or more of the second fluid flows F


2


relative to the velocity of the first fluid flow F


1


. The amplitude and frequency parameters of the first fluid flow F


1


are thus controllable with any one or more of the above variables as discussed more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,080 filed Oct. 10, 1996 entitled “Meltblowing Method and Apparatus” incorporated herein by reference above.




The vacillation of the first fluid flow F


1


is also controllable by varying a relative angle between one or more of the second fluid flows F


2


and the first fluid flow F


1


. This method of controlling the vacillation of the first fluid flow F


1


is useable in applications where the second fluid flows are convergent or non-convergent relative to the first fluid flow F


1


. Convergently directed second fluid flow configurations permit control of first fluid flow F


1


vacillation with relatively decreased second fluid mass flow rates in comparison to parallel and divergent second fluid flow configurations, thereby reducing heated air requirements. Generally, the first fluid flow F


1


is relatively symmetric when the angles between the second fluid flows F


2


on opposing sides of the first fluid flow F


1


are equal. Alternatively, the vacillation of the first fluid flow F


1


may be skewed laterally one direction or the other when the flanking second fluid flows F


2


have unequal angles relative to the first fluid flow F


1


, or by otherwise varying other variables discussed herein.




According to another aspect of the invention shown in

FIG. 1

, a first fluid flow filament FF from any one of several die assemblies coupled to the main manifold, but not shown, is vacillated substantially periodically non-parallel to a direction F of substrate S movement. The corresponding die assembly generally includes a plurality of fluid flow filaments FF arranged in a series with the illustrated filament non-parallel to the direction F of substrate S movement. Still more generally, a plurality of similar die assemblies are coupled to the main manifold 200 in series, and/or in two or more parallel series which may be offset or staggered, and/or non-parallel to the direction F of substrate S movement. In the exemplary application, the plurality of die assemblies and the fluid flow filaments are vacillated in the directions L transversely to the direction F of the substrate S movement. In some applications, however, it may be advantageous and thus desirable to vacillate one or more of the first fluid flow filaments FF parallel to the direction F of substrate movement. This is particularly so along lateral edge portions of the substrate, where more precise control over application of the hot melt adhesive is desired, for example to effect a well defined edge profile, or boundary. According to this aspect of the invention, the first fluid flow filament FF may be vacillated parallelly to the direction F of substrate movement by orienting the series of first and second orifices of the die assembly parallel to the direction F of substrate movement as discussed further below.




The exemplary die assembly


100


of

FIG. 1

includes a plurality of plates arranged in parallel and embodying many aspects of the invention as shown in

FIG. 2



a


-


2




i


. The plates of

FIGS. 2

are assembled one on top of the other beginning with the plate in

FIG. 2



a


on top and ending with the plate in

FIG. 2



i


on bottom as a reference.




The first and second fluids supplied to the die assembly


100


, or body member, are distributed to the first and second orifices as discussed below. The first fluid is supplied from a first restrictor cavity inlet


110


to a first restrictor cavity


112


in the plate of

FIG. 2



a


. The first fluid is substantially uniformly distributed from the first restrictor cavity


112


through a plurality of first orifices


118


in the plate of

FIG. 2



b


to a first accumulator cavity


120


defined aggregately by the adjacent plates in

FIGS. 2



c


and


2




d


. The plurality of first orifices also function as a fluid filter, entrapping any larger debris in the first fluid. The first fluid accumulated in the first accumulator cavity


120


is then supplied to a first plurality of slots


122


in the plate of

FIG. 2



e


, which form the plurality of first orifices as discussed further below.




The second fluid is supplied from a second fluid inlet


131


to branched second fluid restrictor cavity inlet arms


132


and


134


formed in the plates of

FIGS. 2



a


-


2




d


, through corresponding passages


136


and


138


through the plates of

FIGS. 2



e


-


2




h


, and into separate second fluid restrictor cavities


140


and


142


in the plate of

FIG. 2



i.






The second fluid is substantially uniformly distributed from the separate second restrictor cavities


140


and


142


through a plurality of second orifices


144


in the plate of

FIG. 2



h


to a second accumulator cavity


146


defined aggregately by the adjacent plates in

FIGS. 2



f


and


2




g


. The plurality of second orifices


144


also function as a fluid filter, entrapping any debris in the second fluid. The second fluid accumulated in the second accumulator cavity


146


is then supplied to a second plurality of slots


123


in the plate of

FIG. 2



e


, which form the plurality of second orifices as discussed further below.




The plates of

FIGS. 2



d


and


2




f


cover opposing sides of the plate in

FIG. 2



e


to form the first and second orifices fluid dispensing orifices. In the exemplary embodiment of

FIG. 2

, the first orifices are oriented divergently relative to each other, and each first orifice has associated therewith two second orifices convergently directed toward the corresponding first orifice. This configuration is illustrated most clearly in

FIG. 2



e


. According to a related aspect of the invention, the plurality of first and second orifices of

FIG. 2



e


also have equal fluid flow paths as a result of the first and second slots


122


and


123


having similar length fluid flow paths formed radially along an arcuate path. The orifice size is generally between approximately 0.001 and approximately 0.060 inches per generally rectangular side, whereas in most meltblown adhesive applications the orifice size is between approximately 0.005 and approximately 0.060 inches per generally rectangular side. The first fluid filaments formed by the meltblowing processes discussed herein generally have diameters ranging between approximately 1 micron and approximately 1000 microns.




In alternative embodiments, the first and second orifices of the die assembly


100


may be oriented parallelly or divergently, and the die assembly may include an alternating series of first and second orifices. Additionally, the die assembly


100


may include plural arrays of serial first and second orifices arranged in parallel, non-parallel, offset parallel, and on different planer dimensions of the die assembly. These and other features are discussed more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,080 filed Oct. 10, 1996 entitled “Meltblowing Method and Apparatus” incorporated herein by reference above, which other features are combineable with the many features and aspects of the present invention.




According to another aspect of the invention shown in

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


4


, the die assembly


100


is compressedly retained between a first die retaining end plate


160


and a second opposing die retaining end plate


170


. The die assembly


100


is retained therebetween by a plurality of bolt members, not shown for clarity, extendable through corresponding holes


162


in corners of the first end plate


160


, through the corresponding holes


102


in the die assembly, and into the second end plate


170


wherein the bolt members are threadably engaged in corresponding threaded holes


172


. The individual plates of

FIG. 2

that compose the die assembly


100


thus are not bonded, or otherwise retained. The plate is preferably formed of a non-corrosive material like stainless steel.





FIG. 1

also shows the individual plates of the die assembly


100


retainable in parallel relationship by a single rivet member


180


disposeable through a corresponding hole


104


, or opening, formed in each plate of the die assembly


100


, which is shown in

FIG. 2

, wherein end portions of the rivet member


180


are protrudeable into corresponding recesses or holes


164


and


174


in the first and second end plates


160


and


170


when the die assembly


100


is compressably retained therebetween. The individual plates of the die assembly


100


are pivotally disposed, or fannable, about the rivet member


180


and are thus largely separable for inspection and cleaning. According to a related aspect of the invention, the rivet member


180


is installed when the die assembly


100


is compressably retained between the end plates


160


and


170


, which precisely aligns the individual plates of the die assembly, by driving the rivet member


180


through holes through the end plates


160


,


170


and through the die assembly plates.





FIG. 1

also shows the die assembly


100


retained between the first and second end plates


160


and


170


coupleable to an adapter assembly


300


comprising an adapter


310


and an intermediate adapter


320


.

FIGS. 5



a


-


5




c


show various views of the adapter


310


having a first interface


312


for mounting either the die assembly


100


compressably retained between the end plates


160


and


170


directly or alternatively for mounting the intermediate adapter


320


as shown in the exemplary embodiment. The mounting interface


312


of the adapter


310


includes a first fluid outlet


314


coupled to a corresponding first fluid inlet


315


, and a second fluid outlet


316


coupled to a corresponding second fluid inlet


317


. The intermediate adapter


320


having a first mounting surface


322


with first and second fluid inlets


324


and


326


coupled to corresponding first and second fluid outlets


325


and


327


on a second mounting interface


321


. The first mounting surface


322


of the intermediate adapter


320


is mountable on the first mounting interface


312


of the adapter


310


to couple the first and second fluid inlets


324


and


326


of the intermediate adapter


320


to the first and second fluid outlets


314


and


316


of the adapter


310


.




According to another aspect of the invention shown in

FIGS. 5



b


,


6




a


and


6




c


, the first fluid outlet


314


of the adapter


310


is located centrally thereon for coupling with a centrally located first fluid inlet


324


of the intermediate adapter


320


. The second fluid outlet


316


of the adapter


310


is located radially relative to the first fluid outlet


314


for coupling with a recessed annular second fluid inlet


328


coupled to the second fluid inlet


326


and disposed about the first fluid inlet


324


on the first interface


322


of the intermediate adapter


320


. According to this aspect of the invention, the intermediate adapter


320


is rotationally adjustable relative to the adapter


310


to adjustably orient the die assembly


100


mounted thereon to permit alignment of the die assembly parallel or non-parallel to the direction F of substrate movement as discussed herein. And according to a related aspect of the invention, the adapter


310


also has a recessed annular second fluid inlet disposed about the first fluid inlet


315


and coupled to the second fluid outlet


316


, whereby the adapter


310


is rotationally adjustable relative to a nozzle module


240


or other adapter for coupling the die assembly


100


to a first fluid supply as discussed further herein.





FIGS. 5



b


and


5




c


show the first interface of one of the adapter


310


or intermediate adapter


320


having first and second sealing member recesses


318


and


319


disposed about the first and second fluid outlets


314


and


316


on the first interface


312


of the adapter


310


. A corresponding resilient sealing member like a rubber o-ring, not shown but known in the art, is seatable in each recess for forming a fluid seal between the adapter


310


and the intermediate adapter


320


. The exemplary recesses are enlarged relative to the first and second fluid outlets


314


and


316


to accommodate misalignment between the adapter


310


and the intermediate adapter


320


and additionally to prevent contact between the first fluid and the sealing member, which may result in premature seal deterioration. Also, some of the recesses are oval shaped to more efficiently utilize the limited surface area of the mounting interface


312


. The second fluid inlet


317


and other interfaces generally have a similar sealing member recess for forming a fluid seal with corresponding mounting members not shown.





FIG. 1

also shows a metal sealing member, or gasket,


330


disposeable between the adapter


310


and the intermediate adapter


320


for use in combination with the resilient sealing member discussed above or as an alternative thereto, which may be required in food processing and other applications. The metal sealing member


330


generally includes first and second fluid coupling ports, which may be enlarged to accommodate the resilient sealing members discussed above, and holes for passing bolt members therethrough during coupling of the adapter


310


and intermediate adapter


320


.




As discussed herein, the die assembly


100


compressably retained between the first and second end plates


160


and


170


is coupleable either directly to the adapter


310


or to the intermediate adapter


320


thereby permitting mounting of the die assembly


100


in a parallel or vertical orientation, or in orientations shifted 90 degrees.

FIG. 1

shows the die assembly


100


and die retaining end plates


160


and


170


mounted on the second mounting interface


321


of the intermediate adapter


320


, but the mounting interfaces of the adapter


310


and the intermediate adapter


320


for this purpose are functionally equivalent.

FIG. 4

shows the second die retaining end plate


170


having a first fluid inlet


176


and a second fluid inlet for coupling the first and second fluid inlets


112


and


132


,


134


of the die assembly


100


with the first and second fluid outlets


325


and


327


of the intermediate adapter


320


.





FIG. 1

shows a fastener


190


for fastening the die assembly


100


retained between the end plates


160


and


170


to the mounting surface of the adapter


320


. The fastener


190


includes an enlarged head portion


192


with a torque applying engagement surface, a narrowed shaft portion


194


, and a threaded end portion


196


.

FIG. 3



a


shows the first end plate


160


having an opening


166


for freely passing the threaded end portion


196


of the fastener


190


therethrough, and a seat


167


for receiving a sealing member, not shown, which forms a fluid seal with the enlarged head portion


192


of the fastener


190


advanced fully through the die assembly


100


. The threaded end portion


196


of the fastener


190


is also freely passable through the second fluid inlet


131


of the die assembly


100


of

FIG. 2

, through the hole


178


in the second end plate


170


, and into threaded engagement with a portion


329


of the second fluid outlet


327


of the intermediate adapter


320


. According to this aspect of the invention, the fastener


190


is disposed through and into the second fluid outlet


327


of the adapter


320


, or adapter


310


which is configured similarly, to fasten the die assembly


100


compressably retained between the first and second end plates


160


and


170


, whereby the narrowed shaft portion


194


of the fastener


190


permits the second fluid flow tberethrough without obstruction.




According to a related aspect of the invention, the hole


178


in the second end pate


170


is threaded to engage the threaded end portion


196


of the fastener thereby preventing separation thereof during assembly of the die assembly


100


and the end plates


160


and


170


. According to another aspect of the invention, the fastener


190


extends through an upper portion of the die assembly


100


and die retaining end plates


160


and


170


to facilitate mounting thereof onto the mounting interface of the adapter


310


or


320


. This upward location of the fastener


190


allows gravitational orientation of the die assembly relative to the adapter when mounting to substantially vertically oriented mounting interfaces. The adapter mounting interface and the second end plate


170


may also have complementary members for positively locating the second end plate


170


on the mounting interface.

FIGS. 4 and 6



b


, for example, show for this purpose a protruding member


179


on the second end plate


170


and a complementary recess


323


on the second mounting interface


321


of the intermediate adapter


320


.




According to yet another aspect of the invention shown in

FIG. 1

, the die assembly


100


is coupled to a fluid metering device


210


for supplying the first fluid to the die assembly. The die assembly is coupled to the main manifold


200


having a first fluid supply conduit


230


coupleable between the fluid metering device


210


and the die assembly


100


to supply first fluid thereto. The exemplary embodiment shows, more generally, accommodations for mounting a plurality of die assemblies


100


coupled to the main manifold


200


, wherein the main manifold has a plurality of first fluid supply conduits


230


coupleable between the fluid metering device


210


and a corresponding one of the plurality of die assemblies


100


to supply first fluid thereto. The first fluid supply conduits


230


are coupled to a plurality of corresponding fluid outlet ports


232


disposed on a first end portion


202


of the main manifold


200


, wherein the plurality of die assemblies


100


are coupled to the first end portion


202


of the main manifold


200


.




In one application, each die assembly


100


and corresponding adapter


310


and or


320


is coupled to the main manifold


200


by a corresponding nozzle module


240


having an actuatable valve for controlling supply of first and second fluids to the die assembly, for example an MR-1300™ Nozzle Module, available from ITW Dynatec, Hendersonville, Tenn. In an alternative application, each die assembly


100


and corresponding adapter


310


and or


320


is coupled to the main manifold


200


by a common nozzle adapter plate, which supplies the first and second fluids to the plurality of die assemblies. According to this configuration, the modules


240


in

FIG. 1

form the common adapter plate. These and other features and aspects of the invention are more fully disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/683,064 filed Jul. 16, 1996 entitled “Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator With Metering Gear-Driven Head”, which other features are also combineable with the many features and aspects of the present invention.




In still another alternative application, each die assembly


100


and corresponding adapter


310


and or


320


is coupled to the main manifold


200


by a corresponding one of a plurality of individual first fluid flow control plates


240


, which supplies first and second fluids to corresponding die assemblies. And in another alternative embodiment, each of the plurality of individual first fluid flow control plates


240


is also coupled to the main manifold


200


by the common fluid return manifold for returning first fluid to the main manifold. These and other features and aspects of the invention are more fully disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/734,400 filed Oct. 16, 1996 entitled “Fluid Flow Control Plates For Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator”.




While the foregoing written description of the invention enables anyone skilled in the art to make and use what is at present considered to be the best mode of the invention, it will be appreciated and understood by anyone skilled in the art the existence of variations, combinations, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The present invention therefore is to be limited not by the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed herein but by all embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A meltblowing method comprising:forming a filament adjacent a moving substrate; vacillating the filament predominately non-parallel to a direction of the moving substrate with fluid flows directed along not more than two substantially opposite sides of the filament; and depositing the filament onto the moving substrate.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, vacillating the filament predominately transversely to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, vacillating the filament substantially periodically with the fluid flows.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, increasing a vacillation amplitude of the filament as the filament approaches the moving substrate with the fluid flows.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, vacillating the filament predominately between the fluid flows.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, forming the filament from a filament forming fluid flow drawn by the fluid flows, vacillating the filament predominately between the two fluid flows.
  • 7. The method of claim 6, forming the filament forming fluid flow with a first fluid dispensed from a first orifice, forming the fluid flows with a second fluid dispensed from corresponding second orifices disposed on not more than two substantially opposite sides of the first orifice, the first and second orifices aligned non-parallel to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 8. The method of claim 7, vacillating the filament predominately transversely to the direction of the moving substrate, the first and second orifices aligned substantially transversely to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 9. The method of claim 1, forming a plurality of filaments adjacent the moving substrate with separate fluid flows directed along not more than two substantially opposite sides of each filament, vacillating the plurality of filaments predominately non-parallel to the direction of the moving substrate, and depositing the plurality of filaments onto the moving substrate.
  • 10. The method of claim 9, vacillating at least some of the plurality of filaments predominately transversely to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 11. The method of claim 9, vacillating at least some of the plurality of filaments substantially periodically.
  • 12. The method of claim 9, increasing a vacillation amplitude of at least some of the plurality of filaments as the filaments approach the moving substrate.
  • 13. The method of claim 9, forming the plurality of filaments from a corresponding plurality of filament forming fluid flows each drawn by the separate fluid flows, vacillating each of the plurality of filaments predominately between the fluid flows along opposite sides thereof.
  • 14. The method of claim 13, forming the filament forming fluid flows with a first fluid dispensed from a corresponding plurality of first orifices, forming the fluid flows with a second fluid dispensed from a corresponding plurality of second orifices, the plurality of first orifices each flanked on not more than two substantially opposite sides by separate second orifices, the plurality of first and second orifices aligned non-parallel to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 15. The method of claim 14, vacillating at least some of the filaments predominately transversely to the direction of the moving substrate at least some of the plurality of first and second orifices aligned substantially transversely to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 16. A meltblowing method comprising:forming a filament from a first fluid flow drawn by second fluid flows directed along not more than two substantially opposite sides of the first fluid flow; vacillating the filament substantially periodically and predominately between the second fluid flows along substantially opposite sides thereof.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, directing the second fluid flows convergently toward the first fluid flow.
  • 18. The method of claim 16, depositing the filament onto a substrate moving non-parallel to a predominant vacillation amplitude of the filament.
  • 19. The method of claim 16, forming the first fluid flow with a first fluid dispensed from a first orifice, forming the second fluid flows with a second fluid dispensed from corresponding second orifices disposed on not more than two substantially opposite sides of the first orifice.
  • 20. The method of claim 16,forming a plurality of filaments from a corresponding plurality of first fluid flows each drawn by second fluid flows directed along not more than two substantially opposite sides thereof, and vacillating each of the plurality of filaments predominately between the second fluid flows directed along substantially opposite sides thereof.
  • 21. The method of claim 20, converging the second fluid flows toward an intermediate first fluid flow.
  • 22. The method of claim 21, depositing the plurality of filaments onto a substrate moving nonparallel to a direction of predominant vacillation of the plurality of filaments.
  • 23. The method of claim 20, forming the plurality of first fluid flows with a first fluid dispensed from a corresponding plurality of first orifices, forming the plurality of second fluid flows with a second fluid dispensed from a corresponding plurality of second orifices, the plurality of first orifices each flanked on not more than two substantially opposite sides by separate second orifices.
  • 24. A meltblowing apparatus comprising:a first fluid orifice in a body member; a plurality of at least two second fluid orifices in the body member, the second fluid orifices disposed on substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice, the first and second fluid orifices each have a corresponding fluid conduit disposed in the body member, the fluid conduits of the second orifices converging toward the conduit of the first orifice, portions of the body member adjacent the first fluid orifice devoid of fluid orifices, the portions of the body member devoid of fluid orifices disposed on substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice between the second fluid orifices.
  • 25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising in combination therewith a filament emanating from the first fluid orifice, the filament having a major vacillation amplitude between the second fluid orifices on substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice.
  • 26. The apparatus of claim 25, the filament having a minor vacillation amplitude between the portions of the body member devoid of fluid orifices.
  • 27. The apparatus of claim 24, the first and second fluid orifices disposed on a fluid dispensing face of the body member.
  • 28. The apparatus of claim 27, the first fluid orifice protrudes relative to the second fluid orifices.
  • 29. The apparatus of claim 24,a plurality of first fluid orifices in the body member, each first fluid orifice having second fluid orifices disposed on substantially opposite sides thereof, the plurality first and second fluid orifices each have a corresponding fluid conduit disposed in the body member, the fluid conduits of the second orifices on substantially opposite sides of each first orifice converging toward the conduit of the corresponding intermediate first orifice, portions of the body member adjacent each first fluid orifice devoid of second fluid orifices, the portions of the body member devoid of second fluid orifices disposed on substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice between the second fluid orifices on substantially opposite sides thereof.
  • 30. A meltblowing apparatus comprising:a first fluid orifice in a body member; a plurality of second fluid orifices in the body members, the second fluid orifices disposed symmetrically on not more than two substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice, at least one second fluid orifice on one side of the first fluid orifice and at least one second fluid orifice on the other substantially opposite side thereof, the first and second fluid orifices each have a corresponding fluid conduit disposed in the body member, the fluid conduits of the second orifices converging toward the conduit of the first orifice.
  • 31. The apparatus of claim 30, portions of the body member adjacent the first fluid orifice devoid of fluid orifices, the portions of the body member devoid of fluid orifices disposed symmetrically on substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice between the second fluid orifices.
  • 32. The apparatus of claim 30, the first and second fluid orifices disposed on a fluid dispensing face of the body member.
  • 33. The apparatus of claim 30, the first fluid orifice protrudes relative to the second fluid orifices.
  • 34. The apparatus of claim 30,a plurality of first fluid orifices in the body member, each of the plurality of first fluid orifices having second fluid orifices disposed symmetrically on not more than two substantially opposite sides thereof, at least one second fluid orifice on one side of each first fluid orifice and at least one second fluid orifice on the other substantially opposite side thereof, the fluid conduits of the second orifices on substantially opposite sides of each first orifice converging toward the conduit of the corresponding intermediate first orifice.
  • 35. The apparatus of claim 34, portions of the body member adjacent each first fluid orifice devoid of fluid orifices, the portions of the body member devoid of fluid orifices disposed symmetrically on substantially opposite sides of the corresponding first fluid orifice between the second fluid orifices on substantially opposite sides thereof.
  • 36. A meltblowing system comprising:a moving substrate; a filament adjacent the moving substrate, an end of the filament contacting the moving substrate, the filament having a predominant vacillation amplitude non-parallel to a direction of the moving substrate; a meltblowing apparatus adjacent the moving substrate, the meltblowing apparatus comprising body member having a first fluid orifice and separate second fluid orifices disposed on not more than two substantially opposite sides of the first fluid orifice, the first and second fluid orifices aligned non-parallel to the direction of the moving substrate, the filament emanating from the first fluid orifice.
  • 37. The system of claim 36, the filament having a predominant vacillation amplitude substantially transverse to a direction of the moving substrate.
  • 38. The system of claim 36, the filament having a substantially periodic vacillation.
  • 39. The system of claim 36, the vacillation amplitude of the filament greater toward the moving substrate.
  • 40. The system of claim 36, the predominant vacillation amplitude of the filament between the second fluid orifices on opposite sides of the first fluid orifice.
  • 41. The system of claim 36, a plurality of filaments adjacent the moving substrate, the plurality of filaments having a predominant vacillation amplitude non-parallel to the direction of the moving substrate.
  • 42. The system of claim 41, the plurality of filaments having a substantially periodic vacillation.
  • 43. The system of claim 41, the vacillation amplitude of the plurality of filaments greater toward the moving substrate.
  • 44. The system of claim 41, the body member having a plurality of first fluid orifices and a plurality of second fluid orifices, the plurality of first fluid orifices each flanked on not more than two substantially opposite sides by separate second fluid orifices, the plurality of first and second fluid orifices aligned non-parallel to the direction of the moving substrate, each of the plurality of filaments emanating from a corresponding one of the plurality of first fluid orifices.
  • 45. The system of claim 44, the predominant vacillation amplitude of each filament is between the second fluid orifices disposed on substantially opposite sides of the corresponding first fluid orifice.
  • 46. The system of claim 44, a plurality of at least two meltblowing apparatuses positioned adjacently, at least some of the plurality of first and second orifices of each meltblowing apparatus aligned with at least some of the plurality of first and second orifices of an adjacent meltblowing apparatus.
  • 47. The system of claim 44, the meltblowing apparatus comprising at least two plates.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/253,311, filed on Feb. 20, 1999, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser No. 08/843,224, filed on Apr. 14, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,298, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/717,080, filed on Oct. 18, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,540, and is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/683,064 filed Jul. 16, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,986, entitled “Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator With Metering Gear-Driven Head”, and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/734,400 filed Oct. 16, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,437, entitled “Fluid Flow Control Plates For Hot Melt Adhesive Applicator”, and all of which are commonly assigned and incorporated herein by reference.

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Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/253311 Feb 1999 US
Child 09/693035 US
Parent 08/843224 Apr 1997 US
Child 09/253311 US
Continuation in Parts (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/717080 Oct 1996 US
Child 08/843224 US
Parent 08/683064 Jul 1996 US
Child 08/717080 US