A system having a first polymer source and a spin beam in fluid communication with the first polymer source is provided. The spin beam includes a spinneret assembly having filament nozzles configured and arranged to extrude a plurality of filaments of a first polymer. A gas distribution plate is disposed downstream of the spinneret assembly, and includes a plurality of gas distribution slots that are configured and arranged to receive two or more corresponding filament nozzles of the spinneret assembly therein. A stream of gas is introduced into the plurality of slots to draw and attenuate the filaments extruded by the plurality of filament nozzles. The drawn and attenuated filaments are collected on a collection surface disposed downstream of the gas distribution plate to form a nonwoven fabric. A solid additive, such as pulp fibers may be blended with the filaments prior to collecting the filaments on the collection surface.

An apparatus for continuous needless electrospinning of a liquid polymer source into a nanoscale or submicron scale polymer fiber web includes an electrospinning enclosure, a wire drive system located external to the electrospinning enclosure and a plurality of continuous electrode wires. The electrospinning enclosure includes and electrospinning zone and one or more liquid polymer coating devices where liquid polymer is coated onto the plurality of continuous electrode wires. The plurality of continuous electrode wires are parallel to each other, engaged with the wire drive system, and extend through the electrospinning enclosure and the one or more liquid polymer coating devices located therein. High voltage is applied to the plurality of continuous electrode wires in the electrospinning zone to form nanoscale or submicron scale polymer fibers from the liquid polymer coated on the electrode wires.

An apparatus for continuous needless electrospinning of a liquid polymer source into a nanoscale or submicron scale polymer fiber web includes an electrospinning enclosure, a wire drive system located external to the electrospinning enclosure and a plurality of continuous electrode wires. The electrospinning enclosure includes and electrospinning zone and one or more liquid polymer coating devices where liquid polymer is coated onto the plurality of continuous electrode wires. The plurality of continuous electrode wires are parallel to each other, engaged with the wire drive system, and extend through the electrospinning enclosure and the one or more liquid polymer coating devices located therein. High voltage is applied to the plurality of continuous electrode wires in the electrospinning zone to form nanoscale or submicron scale polymer fibers from the liquid polymer coated on the electrode wires.

The present invention relates to an extrusion head for generating filaments, extrusion installation and method using said extrusion head, the extrusion head comprising an inlet for the introduction by pressure of a solvent and polymer solution, and an extrusion plate provided with extrusion nozzles configured for forming filaments from the solvent and polymer solution, where the inlet is in fluid communication with a laminar chamber through which the solvent and polymer solution circulates to a peripheral chamber from which it is radially distributed into a central chamber in which the extrusion plate is arranged, and where the laminar chamber is in fluid communication with an excess solvent outlet, and the central chamber is in fluid communication with an excess solution outlet.

The present invention relates to an extrusion head for generating filaments, extrusion installation and method using said extrusion head, the extrusion head comprising an inlet for the introduction by pressure of a solvent and polymer solution, and an extrusion plate provided with extrusion nozzles configured for forming filaments from the solvent and polymer solution, where the inlet is in fluid communication with a laminar chamber through which the solvent and polymer solution circulates to a peripheral chamber from which it is radially distributed into a central chamber in which the extrusion plate is arranged, and where the laminar chamber is in fluid communication with an excess solvent outlet, and the central chamber is in fluid communication with an excess solution outlet.

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for the production of at least one polymeric yarn comprising means for mixing a polymer (1) with a first solvent yielding a mixture; means for homogenizing the mixture; means for rendering the mixture inert (21, 22, 23); means for dipping the mixture into a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture reaches the quenching bath (30) liquid surface forming at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing (41) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; means for washing (5) the at least one polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; means for heating the at least one polymeric yarn (6); means for drawing at room temperature (7) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; and means for heat drawing (8) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once. The instant invention also concerns a system and method of dosing a polymer mixture with a first solvent into an extruder (26), a device (5), a system and a method of solvent extraction from at least one polymeric yarn, and a method and system of mechanical pre-recovery (4) of at least one liquid in at least one polymeric yarn.

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for the production of at least one polymeric yarn comprising means for mixing a polymer (1) with a first solvent yielding a mixture; means for homogenizing the mixture; means for rendering the mixture inert (21, 22, 23); means for dipping the mixture into a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture reaches the quenching bath (30) liquid surface forming at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing (41) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; means for washing (5) the at least one polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; means for heating the at least one polymeric yarn (6); means for drawing at room temperature (7) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; and means for heat drawing (8) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once. The instant invention also concerns a system and method of dosing a polymer mixture with a first solvent into an extruder (26), a device (5), a system and a method of solvent extraction from at least one polymeric yarn, and a method and system of mechanical pre-recovery (4) of at least one liquid in at least one polymeric yarn.

According to one embodiment, a nanofiber manufacturing-apparatus nozzle head includes a plurality of holes. A solution is ejected from the holes. The holes are arranged from a center of the nozzle head toward an end portion of the nozzle head. An interval of adjacent holes decreases away from the center.

According to one embodiment, a nanofiber manufacturing-apparatus nozzle head includes a plurality of holes. A solution is ejected from the holes. The holes are arranged from a center of the nozzle head toward an end portion of the nozzle head. An interval of adjacent holes decreases away from the center.

A spinneret for melt-spinning polymeric fibers including a spinneret body defining a plurality of orifices extending through the spinneret body, wherein the plurality of orifices each comprise a capillary that open at a face of the spinneret body for polymer filament extrusion therefrom. The plurality of orifices include (i) a first group of orifices each having a first capillary having a first capillary length (L) and first capillary hydraulic diameter (D.sub.H) defining a first L/DH ratio; and (ii) a second group of orifices each having a second capillary having a second capillary length (L) and second capillary hydraulic diameter (D.sub.H) defining a second L/DH ratio, in which the first L/D.sub.H ratio is larger than the second L/D.sub.H ratio. The first group of orifices define at least one first zone at the face of the spinneret body, and the second group of orifices define at least one second zone at the face of the spinneret body.