IP Library Granted Patent US 7,270,779
Granted Patent B2
US 7,270,779 · App. 10/343,492 · Granted Sep 18, 2007

Method and device for producing continuous molded bodies

Assignee: Zimmer A.G.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,270,779
App. No.
10/343,492
Granted
Sep 18, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for extruding continuously molded bodies, wherein an extrusion solution, in particular an extrusion solution containing water, cellulose and a tertiary amine oxide, is extruded through an extrusion orifice into a continuously molded body and is then deflected by means of a deflector ( 7 ). To improve the quality of the continuously molded bodies produced by the method or apparatus of the invention, the extrusion orifices are arranged in a row such that the individual, continuously molded bodies exit in the form of a curtain ( 3 ) form the extrusion head. This curtain is then deflected by the deflector.

Claims (32)

1. A method for producing a continuously molded body from an extrusion solution, in particular an extrusion solution containing water, cellulose and tertiary amine oxide, the method comprising

supplying the extrusion solution to a plurality of extrusion orifices substantially arranged in a row;

extruding the extrusion solution through a respective extrusion orifice to obtain a continuously molded body;

forming a substantially planar curtain of individual, continuously molded bodies,

immersing the curtain into a precipitation bath; and

deflecting the curtain in the precipitation bath by a deflector,

converging the curtain of individual, continuously molded bodies toward substantially one point with at least one collector.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising

simultaneously producing a multitude of curtains.

3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising

simultaneously deflecting the multitude of curtains by at least one deflector.

4. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising

converging at least a partial amount of the multitude of curtains towards substantially one point for forming a fiber bundle.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

passing the extruded, continuously molded bodies through an air gap;

stretching the extruded, continuously molded body in the air gap.

6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising

supplying a flow of air in the air gap either in the direction of extrusion or in a direction transverse to the direction of extrusion.

7. An apparatus for producing continuously molded bodies from an extrusion solution, in particular an extrusion solution containing water, cellulose and tertiary amine oxide, comprising an extrusion head including a multitude of extrusion orifices substantially arranged in row-like configuration, the extrusion solution being extrudable during operation through the respective extrusion orifices to obtain a continuously molded body, the extruded, continuously molded bodies forming a substantially planar curtain due to the arrangement of the extrusion orifices, and comprising a deflector arranged in a precipitation bath into which the continuously molded bodies are immersed, by which the curtain of the extruded, continuously molded bodies is deflected during operation, wherein the collector is positioned in the direction of extrusion downstream of the deflector, the curtain being converged by the collector substantially towards one point.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the collector is arranged outside the precipitation bath.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the apparatus comprises a multitude of extrusion heads out of each of which at least one curtain of continuously molded bodies exits during operation.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the extrusion heads are substantially aligned in parallel with one another in the direction of the rows of the extrusion orifices.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein a plurality of curtains are formed by one extrusion head during operation.

12. The apparatus to according to claim 10 , wherein a plurality of extrusion heads are preferably arranged in mutual alignment in series one behind the other.

13. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a multitude of curtains are deflected by the deflector.

14. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the deflector as a deflection roller is of a substantially circular cylindrical configuration.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the axis of the deflection roller extends either substantially in parallel with or substantially in direction transverse to the direction of row of the extrusion orifices.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the axes of the deflector and of the collector are arranged in vertically offset fashion.

17. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein each curtain has assigned thereto a deflector.

18. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein each deflector has assigned thereto a collector.

19. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is of a modular structure and comprises receiving means into which at least one extrusion head and/or at least one deflector and/or at least one collector can detachably be inserted.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein for the extension of the apparatus at least one extrusion head and one deflector are combined to form an extension unit which is mountable on the apparatus.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 28, 2010
From: ZIMMER A.G.
To: ZIAG PLANT ENGINEERING GMBH
Reel/Frame 024456/0506 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2010
From: ZIAG PLANT ENGINEERING GMBH
To: LENZING AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 024456/0514 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2003
From: ZIKELI, STEFAN; ECKER, FRIEDRICH
To: ZIMMER A.G.
Reel/Frame 014413/0311 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 100 37 923 · Aug 3, 2000 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040051202A1 · Mar 18, 2004