| abstract |
Apparatus and method for producing filamentary material by extruding substantially axially through an orifice comprising contacting the extruded filament stream downstream of the orifice and prior to hardening with a plurality of converging, substantially planar, high velocity gas streams, each moving substantially in the direction of the filament stream such that they converge upon the filament stream at an angle of from about 45* to 5* from the axis of the polymer extrusion nozzle. The planes of the gas streams intersect at a point which is at a distance measured perpendicularly from the axis of the extrudate stream at least equal to the diameter of the extrudate stream. |