Method and apparatus for high denier hollow spiral fiber
An apparatus and method for producing self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a spinneret for the production of hollow filament having first and second curved slots where each slot is defined by a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by an intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width. In another embodiment the invention is a method for of producing generally cylindrical hollow filaments comprising extruding a polymer melt through a spinneret having first and second curved slots where each slot has a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by a intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width along the continuum defined by the distance between the first end and the second end.
1. A hollow polyester filament having a generally cylindrical cross-section, said filament comprising a cylindrical wall in which the thickness of the wall graduates along its entire circumference and in which one side of the hollow filament is more oriented than the other.
2. A hollow polymer filament according to claim 1 wherein the filament is coiled.
3. A cut staple fiber formed from the polyester filament of claim 1 .
4. A polyester yarn formed from staple fibers according to claim 3 .
5. A fabric comprising polyester yarn according to claim 4 .
6. A woven fabric according to claim 5 .
7. A knitted fabric according to claim 5 .
8. A non-woven fabric comprising the filament of claim 1 .
9. A cut staple fiber formed from the polyester filament of claim 1 .
10. A polyester yarn formed from staple fibers according to claim 9 .
11. A fabric comprising polyester yarn according to claim 10 .
12. A woven fabric according to claim 11 .
13. A knitted fabric according to claim 11 .
14. A non-woven fabric comprising the filament of claim 1 .