US3946100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the expeditious formation and structural modification of polyester fibers
Assignee: Celanese Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-26
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Granted: 1976-03-23
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Expires: 1993-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved process is provided for the production of polymeric filamentary material or film. Molten melt-spinnable polymeric material capable of undergoing crystallization (e.g., a polyester) is extruded through a shaped orifice to form a filamentary material or film under high stress conditions, quenched to below its glass transition temperature to form a solid filamentary material or film, and sequentially passed for a brief residence time through a thermal conditioning zone at a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its melting temperature wherein the internal structure thereof is modified and substantial crystallization of the previously solidified filamentary material or film takes place. The filamentary material or film is withdrawn from the conditioning zone at a rate of 1000 to 6000 meters per minute while under a relatively high stress of about 0.1 to 1.0 gram per denier. The process is conducted while exerting a constant tension upon the filamentary material or film in the absence of stress isolation. The melt extrusion process yields a product wherein the tensile strength and modulus are improved and the shrinkage characteristics are diminished.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert L. Davis
- 👤 Michael L. Jaffee
- 👤 Michael M. Besso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:58
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F6/00; D01F6/58; D01F6/62; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/08; D01D5/088; D01D5/092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
An improved process for expeditously forming and structurally modifying a polyester filamentary material consisting essentially of: a. extruding a molten fiber-forming polyester capable of undergoing crystallization through a shaped orifice to form a molten filamentary material, b. passing the resulting molten filamentary material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below the glass transition temperature thereof wherein said molten filamentary material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid filamentary material, c. passing said resulting filamentary material in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a tempereature above the glass transition temperature thereof and below the melting temperature thereof for a residence time of about 0.0016 to 0.6 second, wherein substantial crystallization of said previously solidified filamentary material takes place, and d. withdrawing the resulting filamentary material from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 6000 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.1 to 1.0 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat, exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.25 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 55 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said polyester filamentary material following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said shaped orifice and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
293 words
An improved process for expeditously forming and structurally modifying a polyester filamentary material consisting essentially of: a. extruding a molten fiber-forming polyester capable of undergoing crystallization through a shaped orifice to form a molten filamentary material, b. passing the resulting molten filamentary material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below the glass transition temperature thereof wherein said molten filamentary material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid filamentary material, c. passing said resulting filamentary material in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a tempereature above the glass transition temperature thereof and below the melting temperature thereof for a residence time of about 0.0016 to 0.6 second, wherein substantial crystallization of said previously solidified filamentary material takes place, and d. withdrawing the resulting filamentary material from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 6000 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.1 to 1.0 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat, exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.25 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 55 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said polyester filamentary material following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said shaped orifice and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said fiber-forming polyester contains 85 to 100 mol percent polyethylene terephthalate and 0 to 15 mol percent of copolymerized ester units other than polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said melt-spinnable polyester is substantially all polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said solidification zone is provided at a temperature of about 10° to 40°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said solidification zone is air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said conditioning zone is air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said filamentary material is present in said conditioning zone for a residence time of about 0.03 to 0.09 second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said filamentary material is withdrawn from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 3500 meters per minute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said filamentary material is a flat yarn consisting of about 6 to 200 filaments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said filamentary material when withdrawn from said conditioning zone exhibits a denier per filament of about 1 to 15.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
288 words
An improved process for expeditiously forming and structurally modifying polyester filamentary material consisting essentially of: a. extruding a molten fiber-forming polyester capable of undergoing crystallization containing at least 85 mol percent of polyethylene terephthalate through a spinneret to form a molten filamentary material, b. passing the resulting molten polyester filamentary material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below 80°C. wherein said molten polyester filamentary material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid filamentary material, c. passing said resulting filamentary material in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature of about 90° to 180°C. for a residence time of about 0.0016 to 0.6 second wherein substantial crystallization of said previously solidified filamentary material takes place, and withdrawing the resulting filamentary material from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 6000 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.1 to 1.0 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat, exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.75 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 75 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said filamentary material following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said spinneret and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
288 words
An improved process for expeditiously forming and structurally modifying polyester filamentary material consisting essentially of: a. extruding a molten fiber-forming polyester capable of undergoing crystallization containing at least 85 mol percent of polyethylene terephthalate through a spinneret to form a molten filamentary material, b. passing the resulting molten polyester filamentary material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below 80°C. wherein said molten polyester filamentary material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid filamentary material, c. passing said resulting filamentary material in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature of about 90° to 180°C. for a residence time of about 0.0016 to 0.6 second wherein substantial crystallization of said previously solidified filamentary material takes place, and withdrawing the resulting filamentary material from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 6000 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.1 to 1.0 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat, exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.75 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 75 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said filamentary material following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said spinneret and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said molten fiber-forming polyester is at a temperature of about 270° to 310°C. when extruded through said spinneret.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said fiber-forming polyester contains 85 to 100 mol percent polyethylene terephthalate structural units and 0 to 15 mol percent of copolymerized ester units other than polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said fiber-forming polyester is substantially all polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said solidification zone is provided at a temperature of about 10° to 40°C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said solidification zone is air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said conditioning zone is provided at a temperature of about 110° to 120°C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said conditioning zone is air.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said filamentary material is present in said conditioning zone for a residence time of about 0.03 to 0.09 second.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said filamentary material is withdrawn from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 3500 meters per minute.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said resulting filamentary material is a flat yarn consisting of about 6 to 200 filaments.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein said filamentary material when withdrawn from said conditioning zone exhibits a denier per filament of about 1 to 15.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
270 words
An improved process for expeditiously forming and structurally modifying polyethylene terephthalate filamentary material consisting essentially of: a. extruding molten fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate at a temperature of about 270° to 310°C. through a spinneret, b. passing the resulting molten polyethylene terephthalate filamentary material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below 80°C. wherein said extruded polyethylene terephthalate filamentary material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid filamentary material, c. passing the resulting filamentary material in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° to 140°C. for a residence time of about 0.0016 to 0.6 second, and d. withdrawing the resulting filamentary material from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 3500 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.15 to 0.6 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat, exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.75 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 75 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said filmentary material following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said spinneret and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
270 words
An improved process for expeditiously forming and structurally modifying polyethylene terephthalate filamentary material consisting essentially of: a. extruding molten fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate at a temperature of about 270° to 310°C. through a spinneret, b. passing the resulting molten polyethylene terephthalate filamentary material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature below 80°C. wherein said extruded polyethylene terephthalate filamentary material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid filamentary material, c. passing the resulting filamentary material in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° to 140°C. for a residence time of about 0.0016 to 0.6 second, and d. withdrawing the resulting filamentary material from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 3500 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.15 to 0.6 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat, exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.75 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 75 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said filmentary material following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said spinneret and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said molten fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate is at a temperature of about 285° to 305°C. when extruded through said spinneret.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said solidification zone is provided at a temperature of about 10° to 40°C.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said solidification zone is air.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said conditioning zone is provided at a temperature of about 110° to 120°C.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said gaseous atmosphere of said conditioning zone is air.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said filamentary material is present in said conditioning zone for a residence time of about 0.03 to 0.09 second.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 23 wherein said resulting filamentary material is a flat yarn consisting of about 6 to 200 filaments.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A p rocess according to claim 23 wherein said filamentary material when withdrawn from said conditioning zone exhibits a denier per filament of about 1 to 15.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
288 words
An improved process for expeditiously forming and structurally modifying a flat polyethylene terephthalate yarn which exhibits no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat consisting essentially of: a. extruding molten fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate at a temperature of about 300°C. through a spinneret containing about 6 to 200 extrusion holes having a diameter of about 10 to 60 mils, b. passing the resulting molten polyethylene terephthalate material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with an air atmosphere at about 10° to 40°C. wherein said extruded polyethylene terephthalate material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid multifilament yarn, c. passing the resulting yarn in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at about 110° to 120°C. for a residence time of about 0.03 to 0.09 second, and d. withdrawing the resulting yarn having a denier per filament of about 1 to 10 from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 3500 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.2 to 0.4 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.75 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 75 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said yarn following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said spinneret and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
288 words
An improved process for expeditiously forming and structurally modifying a flat polyethylene terephthalate yarn which exhibits no substantial tendency to undergo self-crimping upon the application of heat consisting essentially of: a. extruding molten fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate at a temperature of about 300°C. through a spinneret containing about 6 to 200 extrusion holes having a diameter of about 10 to 60 mils, b. passing the resulting molten polyethylene terephthalate material in the direction of its length through a solidification zone provided with an air atmosphere at about 10° to 40°C. wherein said extruded polyethylene terephthalate material is uniformly quenched and is transformed to a solid multifilament yarn, c. passing the resulting yarn in the direction of its length through a conditioning zone provided with a gaseous atmosphere at about 110° to 120°C. for a residence time of about 0.03 to 0.09 second, and d. withdrawing the resulting yarn having a denier per filament of about 1 to 10 from said conditioning zone at a rate of about 2500 to 3500 meters per minute while under a stress of about 0.2 to 0.4 gram per denier; said resulting filamentary material exhibiting a mean tenacity of at least 3.75 grams per denier, a mean initial modulus of at least 75 grams per denier, and a mean elongation of 50 percent or less when present in a multifilament yarn at 25°C., and exhibiting a mean longitudinal yarn shrinkage of less than 5 percent when present in a multifilament yarn at 100°C.; with said processing of said yarn following said extrusion being conducted while exerting a constant tension thereon in the absence of stress isolation along the length of the same intermediate said spinneret and said point of withdrawal from said conditioning zone.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-23 | 1979-09-22 | 1980-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-23 | 1983-09-22 | 1984-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-23 | 1987-09-22 | 1988-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |