| abstract |
A method for producing a nonwoven fabric-like material by a melt blowing technique. Conventional melt blowing equipment is used to form a gas stream containing melt blown microfibers comprising generally discontinuous thermoplastic polymeric microfibers having an average fiber diameter of up to about 10 microns. A liquid, such as water, is sprayed into the gas stream to rapidly cool the fibers and the gas, thereby allowing the production of high quality product at production rates significantly higher than in conventional melt blowing technology. In the final integrated fibrous mat formed on the forming surface, the microfibers are held together by gross mechanical entanglement with each other. The quenching liquid is preferably sprayed into the gas stream from opposite sides, and the temperature of the gas stream is preferably substantially higher than the boiling point of the quenching liquid in the area where the liquid is sprayed into the gas stream so that the liquid is quickly evaporated upon contact with the gas stream. |