US 12,644,205 B2 · Meltblown die tip assembly

Abstract

This disclosure describes meltblown methods, assemblies, and systems for polymer production. In one such implementation, a meltblown system provides improved uniform output and reduction of fiber size given certain polymer material and production rate. In certain meltblown implementations, the equipment may be ready and quickly swapped while provided in hot standby mode such that the maintenance down time is minimized. The disclosed meltblown equipment may include a polymer beam and air chamber and a die tip assembly. The die tip assembly, in certain embodiments, may quickly be attached onto or removed from the polymer beam and air chamber. In preferred embodiments, the meltblown system includes a single input (e.g., a specific type of polymer material). The meltblown system includes some tapered structures that facilitate polymer flow. The assembly mechanisms used in the meltblown system enables cleaning of the polymer distribution components with each use.

A meltblown die tip assembly comprising:

a mounting structure having at least one polymer flow passageway formed therein and configured to receive a polymer flow, a first air passageway formed therein and configured to receive a first airflow, and a second air passageway formed therein and configured to receive a second airflow;
an elongated die tip having a body portion, the body portion including a polymer flow chamber with a first opening and a second opening, a polymer flow tip, a first airflow regulation channel having a first transition surface provided by the body portion of the elongated die tip and a second transition surface provided by the body portion of the elongated die tip, a second airflow regulation channel having a third transition surface provided by the body portion of the elongated die tip and a fourth transition surface provided by the body portion of the elongated die tip, a first angled side, and a second angled side,
wherein the first transition surface of the elongated die tip and the second transition surface of the elongated die tip extend at least partially across a portion of the first airflow regulation channel, and wherein the second transition surface is located closer to the polymer flow tip than the first transition surface,
wherein the third transition surface of the elongated die tip and the fourth transition surface of the elongated die tip extend at least partially across a portion of the second airflow regulation channel, and wherein the fourth transition surface is located closer to the polymer flow tip than the third transition surface,
wherein the polymer flow chamber of the elongated die tip is in fluid communication with the at least one polymer flow passageway of the mounting structure at the first opening of the polymer flow chamber of the elongated die tip, and the polymer flow chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the polymer flow from the at least one polymer flow passageway of the mounting structure, the polymer flow chamber of the elongated die tip in fluid communication with the polymer flow tip at the second opening,
wherein the polymer flow tip of the elongated die tip is configured to receive at least a portion of the polymer flow from the polymer flow chamber at the second opening, the polymer flow tip having a tip opening configured to dispense at least a portion of the polymer flow,
wherein the first airflow regulation channel of the elongated die tip is configured to receive the first airflow from the first air passageway of the mounting structure, regulate the first airflow using at least the first transition surface and the second transition surface provided as by the body portion of the elongated die tip, and dispense the first airflow adjacent the first angled side of the elongated die tip,
wherein the second airflow regulation channel of the elongated die tip is configured to receive the second airflow from the second air passageway of the mounting structure, regulate the second airflow using at least the third transition surface and the fourth transition surface provided by the body portion of the elongated die tip, and dispense the second airflow adjacent the second angled side of the elongated die tip;
a first air plate positioned at least partially adjacent the first angled side of the elongated die tip to form a first air exit passageway to receive the first airflow dispensed from the first airflow regulation channel of the elongated die tip and to dispense the first airflow adjacent the tip opening of the polymer flow tip and the at least a portion of the polymer flow;
and
a second air plate positioned at least partially adjacent the second angled side of the elongated die tip to form a second air exit passageway to receive the second airflow dispensed from the second airflow regulation channel of the elongated die tip and to dispense the second airflow adjacent the tip opening of the polymer flow tip and the at least a portion of the polymer flow;
and
wherein the first airflow and the second airflow assist with the polymer flow at the polymer flow tip.

10 more elements

Meltblown die tip assembly

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Meltblown die tip assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34