James Bill Howell

US Patent:

6458455, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/934866

Inventors:

Ismael A. Hernandez - Clemmons NC
Geoffrey David Hietpas - Newark DE
James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Claudia Schultze - Greenville DE

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

D01F 600

US Classification:

428359, 428397, 428364, 442357

Abstract:

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) tetrachannel cross-section staple fibers, as well as yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics made therewith. Also, the process of making such staple fibers, yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics.

US Patent:

6752945, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/934904

Inventors:

Ismael A. Hernandez - Clemmons NC
Geoffrey David Hietpas - Newark DE
James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Claudia Schultze - Greenville DE

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

D01D 5088

US Classification:

264143, 264168, 2642107, 2642108, 26421114, 26421117, 264235, 2642356, 264342 RE

Abstract:

A process of making polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, including (a) providing polytrimethylene terephthalate, (b) melt spinning the melted polytrimethylene terephthalate at a temperature of 245-285Â C. into filaments, (c) quenching the filaments, (d) drawing the quenched filaments, (e) crimping the drawn filaments using a mechanical crimper at a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm), (f) relaxing the crimped filaments at a temperature of 50-120Â C. , and (g) cutting the relaxed filaments into staple fibers having a length of about 0. 2-6 inches (about 0. 5-about 15 cm), and polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, yarns and fabrics. Further, a process of optimizing the crimp take-up of a polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fiber including determining the relationship between denier and crimp take-up and manufacturing staple fibers having a denier selected based upon that determination.

US Patent:

6872352, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/934905

Inventors:

Ismael A. Hernandez - Clemmons NC, US
Geoffrey David Hietpas - Newark DE, US
James M. Howell - Greenville NC, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

D01D005/22
D01D005/26
D01F006/62
D02G001/12
D04H003/16

US Classification:

264442, 19 98, 191457, 28100, 28263, 156 624, 156 732, 264103, 264143, 264168, 2641711, 2642102, 2642107, 2642108, 26421114, 264342 RE

Abstract:

The invention relates to webs or batts including polytrimethylene terephthalate crimped staple fibers and fiberfill products comprising such webs and batts, as well as the processes of making the staple fibers, webs, batts and fiberfill products. According to the preferred process of making a web or batt, polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, containing polytrimethylene terephthalate is melt spun at a temperature of 245-285 C. into filaments. The filaments are quenched, drawn and mechanically crimped to a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm). The crimped filaments are relaxed at a temperature of 50-130 C. and then cut into staple fibers having a length of about 0. 2-6 inches (about 0. 5-about 15 cm).