	US 12,264,413 B2
	Spunbond system and process
Bryan D. Haynes, Jasper, GA (US); and Eric E. Lennon, Roswell, GA (US)
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
Appl. No. 17/908,552
Filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 5, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/021196 § 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 1, 2022, PCT Pub. No. WO2021/178882, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 10, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/985,712, filed on Mar. 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0135016 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. D01D 4/02 (2006.01); D01D 5/088 (2006.01); D01D 5/092 (2006.01); D01D 5/098 (2006.01); D01D 5/14 (2006.01); D01D 7/00 (2006.01); D01D 10/04 (2006.01); D04H 3/16 (2006.01); D06M 10/00 (2006.01); D06M 10/02 (2006.01); D04H 3/03 (2012.01)

CPC D01D 5/0985 (2013.01) [D01D 5/092 (2013.01); D01D 10/0436 (2013.01); D06M 10/025 (2013.01); D04H 3/03 (2013.01)]

24 Claims

1. A method of making a nonwoven web, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of fibers from a spinneret;

subjecting the fibers to quench air;

attenuating the fibers through a closed stretching unit;

reducing a velocity of the plurality of fibers in a diffuser that is spaced apart from an exit of the closed stretching unit in a direction of travel of the fibers, the diffuser having opposed diverging sidewalls; and

subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge in the closed stretching unit before the fibers enter the diffuser, wherein the electrostatic charge is applied by one or more electrostatic charging units.