Jian Weng

US Patent:

6386260, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Apr 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/301086

Inventors:

Richard Ferencz - Isle of Palms SC
Jian Weng - Charlotte NC
Brian Yamanouchi - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D04H 300

US Classification:

156441, 156167, 1562726, 1562731, 1563796, 1563798, 425 831, 4251748 E

Abstract:

An apparatus for providing a uniform web of filaments comprises tube filament transport means exiting through a confined zone of reduced turbulence, which preferably comprises a delivery slot. The delivery slot is configured with sidewalls substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that filaments undergo minimal machine direction deflection in the slot. Charging means within the slot charge the filaments for further cross direction separation. A method of providing a uniform web of filaments comprises transporting filaments through transport tubes, through a tapered transition member, and into a delivery slot. The delivery slot is defined by sidewalls that are substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that minimal machine direction deflection of the filaments occurs. The filaments are also charged by electrostatic charging means while they are in the slot for further separation. The method and apparatus of the invention provide for a uniform filament web with high machine direction orientation.

US Patent:

6797101, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Feb 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/072748

Inventors:

Richard Ferencz - Isle of Palms SC
Jian Weng - Charlotte NC
Brian Yamanouchi - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156167, 156181, 156296

Abstract:

An apparatus for providing a uniform web of filaments comprises tube filament transport means exiting through a confined zone of reduced turbulence, which preferably comprises a delivery slot. The delivery slot is configured with sidewalls substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that filaments undergo minimal machine direction deflection in the slot. Charging means within the slot charge the filaments for further cross direction separation. A method of providing a uniform web of filaments comprises transporting filaments through transport tubes, through a tapered transition member, and into a delivery slot. The delivery slot is defined by sidewalls that are substantially parallel to one another and to the transport tubes, so that minimal machine direction deflection of the filaments occurs. The filaments are also charged by electrostatic charging means while they are in the slot for further separation. The method and apparatus of the invention provide for a uniform filament web with high machine direction orientation.

US Patent:

7091140, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Apr 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/287673

Inventors:

Rick Ferencz - Isle of Palms SC, US
Michael Putnam - Charlotte NC, US
Jian Weng - Charlotte NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - North Charleston SC

International Classification:

D04H 1/46
D04H 3/10
D04H 5/02
D04H 3/16

US Classification:

442408, 442401, 428222, 428903

Abstract:

A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0. 5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0. 5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0. 5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.

US Patent:

7406755, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Apr 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/101817

Inventors:

Michael Putnam - Fuquay-Varina NC, US
Richard Ferencz - Isle of Palms SC, US
Marlene Storzer - Cornelius NC, US
Jian Weng - Charlotte NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

D04H 3/10

US Classification:

28104, 28167, 156148

Abstract:

A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0. 5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0. 5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0. 5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device. In another aspect of the present invention, plural precursor webs, each comprising polymeric filaments, can be employed to form a laminated nonwoven fabric.

US Patent:

7455800, Nov 25, 2008

Filed:

Apr 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/101829

Inventors:

Richard Ferencz - Isle of Palms SC, US
Michael Putnam - Charlotte NC, US
Jian Weng - Charlotte NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc. - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

D01D 5/08
D04H 3/10

US Classification:

264103, 28104, 28105, 2642102, 26421114

Abstract:

A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0. 5-3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix of interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a non-woven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0. 5-3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0. 5-3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web.

US Patent:

20020025753, Feb 28, 2002

Filed:

Oct 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/982436

Inventors:

Michael Putnam - Fuquay Varina NC, US
Richard Ferencz - Isle of Palms SC, US
Marlene Storzer - Cornelius NC, US
Jian Weng - Charlotte NC, US

Assignee:

Polymer Group, Inc.

International Classification:

D04H001/00
D04H003/00

US Classification:

442/340000, 442/408000

Abstract:

A process is disclosed for hydroentangling polymeric filament webs for production of low basis weight nonwoven fabrics. A hydroentangling device having a foraminous forming surface is employed for hydroentangling a precursor web to form a fabric. High-speed production of relatively low basis weight fabrics can be achieved, with the fabrics exhibiting desired softness, uniformity, and strength characteristics.

US Patent:

57628572, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Jan 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/794236

Inventors:

Jian Weng - Charlotte NC
Mark Francis Jones - Mooresville NC
Mark Allen Anderson - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

D01D 508
D04H 300

US Classification:

264465

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided to cause deflection or oscillation of a bundle of spun thermoplastic filaments. A pulsing electrostatic charge and optionally an additional constant charge is applied to attenuated filaments prior to deposit of the filaments on a conveyor in the form of a web. Adjacent sections of filaments may be charged with different phases, and multiple pulsed charges may be applied. The pulsed charges cause movement or oscillation of the filaments resulting in better web uniformity.