PLANT FOR MAKING OF MELT-BLOWN TYPE NON-WOVEN FABRIC

Abstract

A plant for making melt-blown type non-woven fabric including a distributor including at least one main access for placing in fluid passage connection with a main conduit of a case for conveying polymeric fluid and a plurality of secondary accesses for placing in fluid passage connection each with a respective secondary conduit of the case for conveying gas; a dispenser in fluid passage connection with the distributor, for dispersing polymeric filaments from the polymeric fluid and including at least one spinneret for forming the polymeric filaments and an air blade for receiving gas to guide the polymeric filaments exiting the dispenser. The spinneret comprises includes a plurality of pinnacles flanked and each including a main outlet for conveying polymeric fluid. towards a respective delivery direction. The air blade is to convey gas jets to converge towards each delivery direction.

Claims

1. A plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric comprising: a distributor configured to be operatively connected to a case and including at least one main access suitable to be placed in fluid passage connection with a main conduit of said case suitable to convey polymeric fluid and a plurality of secondary accesses suitable to be placed in fluid passage connection each with a respective secondary conduit of said case suitable to convey gas; a dispenser in fluid passage connection with said distributor, configured to dispense polymeric filaments from said polymeric fluid and including at least one spinneret suitable to form said polymeric filaments and an air blade suitable to receive said gas to guide said polymeric filaments exiting said dispenser; wherein said spinneret comprising a plurality of pinnacles mutually flanked and each comprising at least one main outlet configured to guide said polymeric fluid along a respective delivery direction, and said air blade is adapted to convey jets of said gas to converge towards each of said delivery direction so as to guide said polymer filaments.

2. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said delivery directions are mutually parallel.

3. The plant according to any preceding claim 1, wherein said pinnacles are in one piece.

4. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said spinneret comprises for each pinnacle a pair of secondary outlets arranged at opposite sides relative to said respective pinnacle and configured to convey said gas towards said air blade, and said plant further comprises a transfer device configured to place in fluid passage connection at least each secondary access with each said pair of secondary outlets.

5. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said distributor comprises a plurality of secondary accesses and said transfer device is further configured to place in fluid passage connection each main access with a respective said main outlet.

6. The plant according to claim 4, wherein said transfer device is further configured to place in fluid passage connection said main access with each of said main outlets.

7. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said transfer device comprises at least one main inlet in fluid passage connection with said main access, a plurality of main branches in fluid passage connection all with said main inlet or each with a respective said main inlet and each with a respective said main outlet, a plurality of secondary inlets each in fluid passage connection with a respective said secondary inlet, and a plurality of pairs of secondary branches wherein in each pair said secondary branches are in fluid passage connection all with a respective said secondary inlet and each with a respective said secondary outlet of a respective said pair of secondary outlets.

8. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said transfer device is entirely included in said spinneret and said distributor comprises a main delivery channel configured to place in fluid passage connection said main access and said main inlet and a plurality of secondary delivery channels each configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said secondary access with a respective said secondary inlet.

9. The plant according to claim 4, wherein said transfer device is integrally comprised in said distributor, said main inlet corresponds to said main access, each said secondary inlet corresponds to a respective said secondary access, and said spinneret comprises, for each said pinnacle a main delivery channel configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said main branch and said main outlet and a pair of secondary delivery channels each configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said secondary branch of a same said pair of secondary branches with a respective said secondary outlet of a same said pair of secondary outlets.

10. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said distributor comprises a support plate and a breaker plate and said transfer device is integrally comprised in one or more between said support plate and said breaker plate.

11. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said distributor and said dispenser are predominantly along a main direction, each of said main branches defines a main end opposite said main inlet, each of said secondary branches defines a secondary end opposite said secondary inlet and said ends are distributed in a main plane parallel to said main direction in such a manner that, for each pinnacle and for each group including a said main end and a pair of adjacent said secondary ends, at least said secondary ends are mutually misaligned with respect to directions normal to said main direction.

12. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said ends are distributed in a main plane such that all said ends of the same said group result to be mutually misaligned with respect to directions normal to said main direction.

13. The plant according to claim 11, wherein for each pinnacle and for each said group, at least one said main end and one said secondary end are mutually aligned along development directions transverse to said main direction.

14. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said spinneret comprising at least one seat configured to accommodate at least one filter and disposed adjacent to said distributor.

15. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said seat is disposed between said main inlet and said main delivery channel or between each of said main branch and a respective said main delivery channel.

16. The plant according to claim 5, wherein said transfer device is integrally comprised in said distributor, said main inlet corresponds to said main access, each said secondary inlet corresponds to a respective said secondary access, and said spinneret comprises, for each said pinnacle a main delivery channel configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said main branch and said main outlet and a pair of secondary delivery channels each configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said secondary branch of a same said pair of secondary branches with a respective said secondary outlet of a same said pair of secondary outlets.

17. The plant according to claim 6, wherein said transfer device is integrally comprised in said distributor, said main inlet corresponds to said main access, each said secondary inlet corresponds to a respective said secondary access, and said spinneret comprises, for each said pinnacle a main delivery channel configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said main branch and said main outlet and a pair of secondary delivery channels each configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said secondary branch of a same said pair of secondary branches with a respective said secondary outlet of a same said pair of secondary outlets.

18. The plant according to claim 7, wherein said transfer device is integrally comprised in said distributor, said main inlet corresponds to said main access, each said secondary inlet corresponds to a respective said secondary access, and said spinneret comprises, for each said pinnacle a main delivery channel configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said main branch and said main outlet and a pair of secondary delivery channels each configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective said secondary branch of a same said pair of secondary branches with a respective said secondary outlet of a same said pair of secondary outlets.

19. The plant according to claim 12, wherein for each pinnacle and for each said group, at least one said main end and one said secondary end are mutually aligned along development directions transverse to said main direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The features and advantages of the invention are hereinafter clarified by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0041] the FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in which the transfer device is integrally included in the dispenser;

[0042] the FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional and exploded view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention;

[0043] the FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention;

[0044] the FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below and an exploded view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention;

[0045] the FIG. 5a shows a main plane view of the branch ends of the transfer device of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in which only one main end and one secondary end of the same assembly are aligned;

[0046] the FIG. 5b illustrates a view in the main plane of the branch ends of the transfer device of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in which all the ends of the same group are aligned;

[0047] the FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in which the transfer device is entirely included in the spinneret;

[0048] the FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in which the transfer device comprises a plurality of main accesses each in fluid passage connection with a respective main outlet;

[0049] the FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in a further embodiment wherein the distributor comprises a main access in fluid passage connection with a respective main outlet and the branches are mutually crossed in an alternative manner with respect to the plant of FIGS. 1-4;

[0050] the FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention in a further embodiment in which the distributor comprises a plurality of main accesses each in fluid passage connection with a respective main outlet and the branches are mutually crossed in an alternative manner with respect to the plant of FIG. 7;

[0051] the FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric of the known technique; and

[0052] the FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of a plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric of the known technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] In the present document, the measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like about or other similar terms such as approximately or substantially, are to be considered as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measurements, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For instance, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.

[0054] Moreover, when used, terms such as first, second, higher, lower, main and secondary do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to clearly distinguish between their different components.

[0055] Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as treatment, computing, determination, calculation, or similar, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and/or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices.

[0056] The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

[0057] With reference to the Figures, the plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric according to the invention is globally referred to by the number 1.

[0058] The plant 1 is preferably configured for making non-woven fabric on the basis of melt-blown technology. The latter, in general, provides for melt-blown polymeric material to be extruded by means of a plurality of micrometre-sized nominal holes designed to distribute the polymer filaments directed towards a conveyor belt or to introduce the polymer filaments within a hole in a pinnacle in contact with one or more air blades.

[0059] In this regard, the plant 1 comprises, some elements of the known technique.

[0060] Preferably, the plant 1 comprises at least one distributor 2.

[0061] The distributor 2 is substantially a device for allowing the distribution of polymeric fluid and air within respective ducts for creating a diffusion path.

[0062] The distributor 2 is, therefore, configured to be operatively connected to a case 10.

[0063] The case 10 is essentially a conventional element of a melt-blown system. In particular, the case 10 is the portion through which the polymeric fluid and gas are conveyed to the distributor 2.

[0064] Thus, the case 10 comprises at least one main conduit 10a suitable for conveying polymeric fluid and a plurality, for example a pair, of secondary conduits 10b suitable for conveying gas.

[0065] The distributor 2 thus comprises at least one main access 20.

[0066] The main access 20 is capable of being placed in fluid passage connection with the main conduit 10a. Thus, the main access 20 is the portion through which the polymeric fluid accesses the distributor 2.

[0067] The distributor 2 further comprises at least one secondary access 21. Preferably, the distributor 2 comprises a plurality of secondary accesses 21.

[0068] The secondary accesses are capable of being placed in fluid passage connection each with a respective secondary conduit 10b. Thus, the secondary accesses 21 define the portions through which gas accesses the distributor 2.

[0069] The system 1 further comprises at least one dispenser 3.

[0070] The dispenser 3 is in fluid passage connection with the distributor 2. In particular, the dispenser 3 receives from the distributor 2 both polymeric fluid and gas.

[0071] Thus, the dispenser 3 is configured to dispense polymeric filaments from the polymeric fluid.

[0072] Therefore, in this regard, the dispenser 3 comprises at least one spinneret 4.

[0073] The spinneret 4 is substantially capable of forming polymeric filaments. Therefore, the spinneret 4 is the portion of the system 1 configured to extrude the polymeric fluid in the form of a filament.

[0074] The dispenser 3 further comprises an air blade 5. The air blade 5 is substantially adapted to receive the gas to guide the polymeric filaments exiting the dispenser 3.

[0075] The components just described are substantially common to all melt-blown plants.

[0076] Furthermore, as is well known, the distributor 2 and the dispenser 3 develop prevalently along a main direction 1a.

[0077] The main direction la is the direction of extension of the plant and, in particular, of the polymer filament dispensing line.

[0078] The plant 1 is subsequently described in relation to sections normal to the main direction 1a of the plant 1 itself, taking into account that substantially the described components are periodically or continuously distributed along the main direction 1a.

[0079] The plant 1 comprises, in fact, certain peculiar features.

[0080] In particular, advantageously, the spinneret 4 comprises a plurality of pinnacles 40.

[0081] The pinnacles 40 are substantially pointed elements from the pointed end of which filaments of already formed polymeric fluid emerge. In particular, at the end of each pinnacle 40 the air blade 5 conveys gas, typically air, to guide the polymeric fluid out of the dispenser 3.

[0082] The pinnacles 40 are thus mutually flanked. This means that the pinnacles 40 run parallel to the main direction 1 side by side.

[0083] Preferably, but not necessarily, the pinnacles 40 are in one piece. Therefore, the 40 peaks belong to the same spinneret 4 or spinneret.

[0084] In other words, therefore, advantageously, plant 1 comprises a spinneret 4 multi-pinnacle 40. Advantageously, the spinneret 4 multi-pinnacle 40 is arranged within a single melt-blown plant 1. The pinnacles 40 may be two or more in number.

[0085] Thus, each pinnacle 40 comprises at least one main outlet 40a. The main outlet is substantially configured to convey polymeric fluid along a respective delivery direction 4a. Thus, the main outlet 40a corresponds to the outlet dispenser of the pinnacle 40.

[0086] The delivery direction 4a of each main outlet 40a is normal, or skewed, with respect to the main direction 1a. Furthermore, preferably, the main outlets 40a are configured such that the delivery directions 4a are mutually parallel.

[0087] Naturally, the pinnacle 40 includes, as already mentioned, at least one main outlet 40a in the sectional view. When considering the entire depth of the spinneret 4, the pinnacle 40 comprises a plurality of main outlets 40a also distributed along or parallel to the main direction 1a, as clearly shown for example in FIG. 4.

[0088] The spinneret 4 further preferably comprises, for each pinnacle 40, a pair of secondary outlets 41.

[0089] The secondary outlets 41 are preferably arranged at opposite sides relative to the respective pinnacle 40. By this it is meant that the secondary outlets 41 may be formed on the pinnacle 40 itself, as shown in the embodiment form of FIGS. 1-4, or they may be formed at the sides of the pinnacle 40, as shown in the embodiment form of FIG. 6.

[0090] As with the main outlets 40, of course, the secondary outlets 41 are preferably distributed along or parallel to the main direction 1a.

[0091] The air blade 5 is therefore, advantageously, configured to convey gas jets to converge towards each of the delivery directions 4a. In this way, the gas jets meet at the main outlet 40a of each spinneret 40 and guide the polymer filament exiting the dispenser 3, in particular along the delivery direction 4a.

[0092] Naturally, the air blade 5 also runs predominantly along the main direction 1a. Thus, in detail, the air blade 5 may define a slot expanding parallel to the main direction 1a at each main outlet 40a, i.e. parallel to the tip of each pinnacle 40.

[0093] The plant 1 additionally comprises a transfer device 6.

[0094] The transfer device 6 is, advantageously, configured to place in fluid passage connection at least each secondary access 21 with each pair of secondary outlets 41. Further, in an embodiment, the transfer device 6 may also advantageously be configured to place in fluid passage connection the main access 20 with each of the main outlets 40a.

[0095] Or, alternatively, the transfer device 6 may also be configured to place in fluid passage connection a plurality of main accesses 20 with respective main outlets 40a.

[0096] Thus, the transfer device 6 allows at least part of the conventional facilities to be used to convey polymeric fluid and gas to the spinneret 4 of the facility 1.

[0097] In more detail, the transfer device 6 comprises at least one main inlet 60.

[0098] The main inlet 60 is in fluid passage connection with the main inlet 20. Therefore, the main inlet 60 is capable of receiving polymeric fluid from the main inlet 20.

[0099] Furthermore, the transfer device 6 comprises a plurality of main branches 61.

[0100] The main branches 61 are all in fluid transfer connection with the main inlet 60. Further, each of the main branches 61 is in fluid passage connection with a respective main outlet 40a.

[0101] If the system comprises a plurality of main accesses 20, each main branch 41 is in fluid passage connection with a respective main inlet 60 and a respective main outlet 40a.

[0102] Thus, the main branches 61 substantially transfer polymeric fluid from the main inlet 60 to each of the main outlets 40a.

[0103] Advantageously, the transfer device 6 also comprises a plurality of secondary inlets 62.

[0104] Each of the main inlets 62 is in fluid transfer connection with a respective secondary inlet 21. Thus, each main inlet 62 receives gas, for example air, from a secondary access 21. Further, the transfer device 6 comprises a plurality of pairs of secondary branches 63.

[0105] In each pair, the secondary branches 63 are in fluid passage connection all with a respective secondary inlet 62. Furthermore, in the same pair, each of the secondary branches 63 is in fluid passage connection with a respective secondary outlet 41 of a pair of secondary outlets 41, i.e., secondary outlets 41 at the same pinnacle 40.

[0106] In order to realise such configurations, several solutions are possible.

[0107] For example, in a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the transfer device 6 can be entirely included in the distributor 2.

[0108] Thus, in this context, the main input 60 preferably corresponds to the main access 20 and each secondary input 62 corresponds to a respective secondary access 21. Thus, the spinneret 4 may comprise, for each pinnacle 40, a main delivery channel 42 and a pair of secondary delivery channels 43.

[0109] The main delivery channel 42 is preferably configured to place in fluid passage connection a main branch 61 and the main outlet 40a.

[0110] Each of the pair of secondary delivery channels 43 is configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective secondary branch 63 with a respective secondary outlet 41 of the same said pair of secondary outlets 41.

[0111] In this embodiment, therefore, the spinneret 4 defines conventional characteristics.

[0112] The distributor 2, on the other hand, comprises the transfer device 6.

[0113] The distributor 2 may be in one piece, or divided into two different blocks.

[0114] For example, the distributor 2 may comprise a support plate 7 and a breaker plate 8. The support plate 7, as is known, is an interface element normally arranged between case 10 and breaker plate 8. The breaker plate 8 is a connecting plate between support plate 7 and spinneret 4.

[0115] Advantageously, the transfer device 6 may be integrally included in one or more of the support plate 7 and the breaker plate 8. By this it is meant that the transfer device 6 may be expanded in one between the support plate 7 and the breaker plate 8, or it may be expanded partly in the support plate 7 and partly in the breaker plate 8.

[0116] In a second embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the transfer device 6 may be entirely comprised in the spinneret 4.

[0117] In this case, the spinneret 4 no longer includes conventional features as previously shown. Furthermore, the transfer device 2 comprises a main delivery channel 22 and a secondary delivery channel 23.

[0118] The main delivery channel 22 is configured to place the main access 20 and the main entrance 60 in fluid passage connection.

[0119] Each of the secondary delivery channels 23 is, on the other hand, configured to place in fluid passage connection a respective secondary access 21 with a respective secondary inlet 62.

[0120] As already explained, the description is made considering a section of the plant normal to the main direction 1a.

[0121] However, the plant 1 also expands along the main direction 1a.

[0122] Therefore, the plant 1 may define a main plane 1b along which at least part of the plant is expanded.

[0123] The main plane 1b is parallel to the main direction 1a. Moreover, even more in detail, the main plane 1b is a virtual or even physical interface plane accessed by the ends of main branches 61 and secondary branches 63.

[0124] In detail, each of the main branches 61 defines a main end 61a.

[0125] The main end 61a is substantially opposite the main inlet 60.

[0126] In contrast, each of the secondary branches 63 defines a secondary end 63a. The secondary end 63a is preferably opposite the secondary inlet 62.

[0127] Thus, the ends 61a, 63a are distributed on the main plane 1b such that, for each pinnacle 40 and for each group including a main end 61a and a pair of adjacent secondary ends 63a, at least the secondary ends 63a are mutually misaligned with respect to directions normal to the main direction 1a, as shown in FIG. 5a.

[0128] Alternatively, all of the ends 61a, 63a may be mutually misaligned with respect to directions normal to the main direction 1a, as shown in FIG. 5b.

[0129] In other words, the ends 61a, 63a which are upstream or downstream of the same pinnacle 40 and which are adjacent to each other belong to the same group.

[0130] Even more in detail, preferably, for each pinnacle 40 and for each group, at least one main end 61a and one secondary end 63a of the same group are mutually aligned along expansion directions 6a. The expansion directions 6a are transverse to the main direction 1a.

[0131] Furthermore, the expansion directions 6a are preferably mutually parallel, as explicitly shown in FIG. 5.

[0132] This configuration advantageously prevents the various branches 61, 63 from intersecting each other.

[0133] In conclusion, the system 1 may define further detailed features.

[0134] For example, the spinneret 4 may comprise at least one seat 44.

[0135] If present, the seat 44 is configured to house at least one filter 11. The filter 11 may be in a spongy element suitable for filtering the polymeric fluid entering the spinneret 4. Therefore, the seat 44 is preferably arranged adjacent to the distributor 2.

[0136] In particular, the seat 44 may be arranged, preferably in the second form of embodiment, between the main inlet 60 and the main delivery channel 22. Or, the seat 44 may be arranged, preferably in the first form of embodiment, between each of said main branch 61 and a respective main delivery channel 42.

[0137] The plant 1 may, of course, also comprise the filter 11 and the case 10.

[0138] The operation of the plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric 1 described above in structural terms is substantially similar to the operation of any plant for making of melt-blown type non-woven fabric.

[0139] However, the plant 1 allows a plurality of parallel rows to be made, parallel to the main direction 1a, due to the fact that a plurality of flanked pinnacles can be exploited.

[0140] The plant 1 for making melt-blown non-woven fabric according to the invention achieves important advantages.

[0141] Indeed, the plant 1 allows for the realisation of more than a single row of polymer filament. The possibility of using a plurality of side-by-side pinnacles makes it possible to improve the quality of the non-woven fabric and to increase production speed.

[0142] Furthermore, the plant 1 allows, in return for the aforementioned advantages, to reduce the number of components required for dispensing a plurality of rows, and also allows to exploit at least part of the plants of the known technique since the device may comprise at least cases, and possibly also dispensers 2, conventional.

[0143] Thus, the device 1 allows for lower conversion costs of the installations and is, in any case, cheaper both from an operational and maintenance point of view.

[0144] The invention is susceptible to variations within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims.

[0145] For example, in an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the distributor 2 of the system 1 could comprise a plurality of main accesses 20. Thus, the transfer device 6 could also be configured to place in fluid passage connection each main access 20 with a respective main outlet 40a. In this case, each main access 20 could correspond to a main inlet 60 and each main inlet 60 could be placed in fluid passage connection with a respective main outlet 40a via a single main branch 61.

[0146] This configuration can be easily employed to convey two polymers of different types at the outlet of the dispenser in such a way as to make several non-woven fabrics or non-woven fabrics comprising filaments of different materials, i.e. made from different polymers.

[0147] In this respect, all details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.