Apparatus for melt mixing and spinning synthetic polymers

An apparatus for melt mixing and spinning synthetic polymers which comprises:

• a) a plurality of spinning nozzle units;
• b) a first extruder for forming a first polymer melt flow;
• c) a conduit system having first and second branch conduits;
• d) a two way control valve which is fluid-connected to said first extruder and said conduit system, said control valve receiving said first polymer melt flow from said first extruder and directing said first polymer melt flow through at least one of said first and second branch conduits;
• e) second and third extruders for respectively forming second and third polymer melt flows;
• f) a first fluidic valve for forming first and second mixed flows of said first and second polymer melt flows and directing said first and second mixed flows to one and another of said plurality of spinning nozzle units;
• and
• g) a second fluidic valve for forming third and fourth mixed flows of said first and third polymer melt flows and directing said third and forth mixed flows to said one and another of said plurality of spinning nozzle units, wherein,
• each of said first and second fluidic valves include:
• (1) first and second primary supply ports respectively fluid-connected to said first and second branch conduits of said conduit system, each said first and second primary supply ports for receiving said first polymer melt flow from said first extruder,
• (2) a secondary supply port for receiving a respective one of said second and third polymer melt flows from said second and third extruders;
• (3) a mixing intersection which fluid-connects said primary and secondary supply ports, and
• (4) at least one and another discharge ports extending from said mixing intersection and respectively fluid-connected to said one and another of said spinning nozzle units;
• wherein
• g) said control valve is selectively movable between at least first and second conditions so as to respectively cause said first polymer melt flow to either flow (i) entirely through said first branch conduit such that said first polymer melt flow is directed through said first primary supply ports of said first and second fluidic valves and respectively merges with said second and third polymer melt flows at said mixing intersection thereof to form said first and third mixed flows thereby responsively causing said first mixed flow to be diverted to said one discharge port of said first fluidic valve and be directed thereby to said one spinning nozzle unit, and causing said third mixed flow to be diverted to said one discharge port of said second fluidic valve and be directed thereby to said another spinning nozzle unit, or (ii) entirely through said second branch conduit such that said first polymer melt flow is directed through said second primary supply ports of said first and second fluidic valves and respectively merges with said second and third polymer melt flows at said mixing intersection to form said second and fourth mixed flows thereby responsively causing said second mixed flow to be diverted to said another discharge port of said first fluidic valve and be directed thereby to said another spinning nozzle unit, and causing said fourth mixed flow to be diverted to said another discharge port of said first fluidic valve and be directed thereby to said one spinning nozzle unit.