Fang Wang

US Patent:

6441109, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Dec 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/475675

Inventors:

Dominick A. Burlone - Asheville NC
Matthew B. Hoyt - Brownstown Township MI
John A. Hodan - Arden NC
Richard Kotek - Raleigh NC
Carol W. Morgan - Asheville NC
Randall A. Sferrazza - Asheville NC
Fang A. Wang - Arden NC
Otto M. Ilg - Asheville NC
Terry D. Roberts - Candler NC
Ronald G. Morrow - Enka NC

Assignee:

BASF Corporation - Mt. Olive NJ

International Classification:

C08F 201

US Classification:

526 65, 526 88, 422131, 422134, 422191, 422193

Abstract:

Continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of a polycaprolactam includes forming a reaction mixture by bringing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator into contact with one another, and then subjecting the reaction mixture to anionic polymerization reaction conditions to obtain a molten polycaprolactam. The molten polycaprolactam is the directly (i. e. , without intermediate solidification) transferred to, and extruded through, a fiber-forming orifice of a spinneret to form a fiber thereof. One exemplary system to achieve such continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of polycaprolactam includes a mixer for receiving and mixing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator, and a reactor and melt-spinning apparatus downstream of the mixer. The reactor and melt-spinning apparatus most preferably is formed of multiple plates which establish a reactor zone having a flow path for the reaction mixture which is sized and configured to achieve a predetermined residence time of the reaction mixture therein, and a temperature control zone in thermal communication with the reactor plate for controlling the temperature of the reaction plate to achieve anionic polymerization reaction conditions while the reaction mixture is flowing along the defined flow path therein to obtain the molten polycaprolactam. A spinneret zone downstream of the reactor zone thus receives the molten polycaprolactam directly and forms a fiber therefrom by extruding it through the spinnerets fiber-spinning orifice.

US Patent:

6465583, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jun 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/879058

Inventors:

Dominick A. Burlone - Asheville NC
Matthew B. Hoyt - Brownstown Township MI
John A. Hodan - Arden NC
Richard Kotek - Raleigh NC
Carol W. Morgan - Asheville NC
Randall A. Sferrazza - Asheville NC
Fang A. Wang - Arden NC
Otto M. Ilg - Asheville NC
Terry D. Roberts - Candler SC
Ronald G. Morrow - Enka NC

Assignee:

BASF Corporation - Mount Olive NJ

International Classification:

C08G 6918

US Classification:

526 65, 528323, 528326, 2641761, 26421124, 26433121

Abstract:

Continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of a polycaprolactam includes forming a reaction mixture by bringing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator into contact with one another, and then subjecting the reaction mixture to anionic polymerization reaction conditions to obtain a molten polycaprolactam. The molten polycaprolactam is the directly (i. e. , without intermediate solidification) transferred to, and extruded through, a fiber-forming orifice of a spinneret to form a fiber thereof. One exemplary system to achieve such continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of polycaprolactam includes a mixer for receiving and mixing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator, and a reactor and melt-spinning apparatus downstream of the mixer. The reactor and melt-spinning apparatus most preferably is formed of multiple plates which establish a reactor zone having a flow path for the reaction mixture which is sized and configured to achieve a predetermined residence time of the reaction mixture therein, and a temperature control zone in thermal communication with the reactor plate for controlling the temperature of the reaction plate to achieve anionic polymerization reaction conditions while the reaction mixture is flowing along the defined flow path therein to obtain the molten polycaprolactam. A spinneret zone downstream of the reactor zone thus receives the molten polycaprolactam directly and forms a fiber therefrom by extruding it through the spinnerets fiber-spinning orifice.

US Patent:

6616438, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/879066

Inventors:

Dominick A. Burlone - Asheville NC
Matthew B. Hoyt - Brownstown Township MI
John A. Hodan - Arden NC
Richard Kotek - Raleigh NC
Carol W. Morgan - Asheville NC
Randall A. Sferrazza - Asheville NC
Fang A. Wang - Arden NC
Otto M. Ilg - Asheville NC
Terry D. Roberts - Candler SC
Ronald G. Morrow - Enka NC

Assignee:

BASF Corporation - Mt. Olive NJ

International Classification:

B29C 4780

US Classification:

425144, 425192 S, 425198, 4253782, 4253822, 425464

Abstract:

Continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of a polycaprolactam includes forming a reaction mixture by bringing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator into contact with one another, and then subjecting the reaction mixture to anionic polymerization reaction conditions in the reactor zone to obtain a molten polycaprolactam. The molten polycaprolactam is the directly (i. e. , without intermediate solidification) transferred to, and extruded through, a fiber-forming orifice of a spinneret to form a fiber thereof. A spinneret zone downstream of the reactor zone thus receives the molten polycaprolactam directly from the reactor zone and forms a fiber therefrom by extruding it through the spinnerets fiber-spinning orifice.