Die head assembly, apparatus, and process for meltblowing a fiberforming thermoplastic polymer

A die head assembly for meltblowing thermoplastic material comprising:

• a first chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the first chamber having a wall defining a fluid outlet therethrough;
• a second chamber secured to the first chamber for receiving a pressurized molten thermoplastic material, the second chamber defining an outlet through which the molten thermoplastic material exits the die head;
• and
• a fluid tube removably securable to the first chamber outlet and defining a passageway having an inlet in communication with the first chamber, an outlet extending at least into the outlet of the second chamber, and a center portion extending through the second chamber.

An apparatus for forming a nonwoven web comprising:

• a pressurized fluid supply;
• a pressurized molten thermoplastic material supply;
• a die head for creating meltblown fibers from the molten thermoplastic material and including a first chamber for receiving the pressurized fluid, a second chamber for receiving the molten thermoplastic material, the second chamber defining an outlet through which the molten thermoplastic material exits the die head, and a fluid tube removably securable to the first chamber and defining a passageway having an inlet in communication with the first chamber and an outlet extending at least into the outlet of the second chamber;
• and
• a driven foraminous surface for collecting the meltblown fibers to form the nonwoven web.

An apparatus for forming a nonwoven web comprising:

• a pressurized fluid supply;
• a pressurized molten thermoplastic material supply;
• a die head for creating meltblown fibers from the molten thermoplastic material and including a first chamber for receiving the pressurized fluid, a second chamber for receiving the molten thermoplastic material, the second chamber defining an outlet through which the molten thermoplastic material exits the die head, and a passageway having an inlet in communication with the first chamber and an outlet extending at least into the outlet of the second chamber, the passageway defined by a member including an outer surface, one of the second chamber outlet inner surface and the passageway outer surface including a substantially planar portion opposing the other of the passageway outer surface and the second chamber outlet inner surface so as to form at least one opening elongated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the molten thermoplastic material as it exits the die head;
• and
• a driven foraminous surface for collecting the meltblown fibers to form the nonwoven web.