Superfine fiber creating spinneret and uses thereof

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for the production of superfine fibers.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of creating fibers comprising:
 placing a composition into a spinneret comprising one or more openings, wherein the composition comprises a cellulose ester and a solvent capable of dissolving at least a portion of the cellulose ester; and   rotating the spinneret about a spin axis such that rotation of the spinneret causes at least a portion of the material disposed in the spinneret to be ejected through the one or more of the openings and form the fibers as the ejected material solidifies.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the spinneret comprises a body defining a central reservoir, which receives the composition, and one or more channels extending from the central reservoir to the one or more openings. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein one or more of the channels have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the openings. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the reservoir is a substantially circular reservoir and wherein the channels extend radially from the circular reservoir to the openings. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: heating the composition to a temperature greater than room temperature. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising heating the spinneret to a temperature at or near the temperature of the composition. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the openings have a size that promotes the formation of microfibers. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the openings have a size that promotes the formation of nanofibers. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising collecting the fibers on a collection device that at least partially surrounds the spinneret while the spinneret is being rotated. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising heating the spinneret with a heater thermally coupled to the spinneret. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising surrounding the spinneret in a housing, wherein the environment in the housing is controllable. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the superfine fibers are created without electro spinning. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the fibers are formed without subjecting the material to an externally-applied electric field that is sufficient to draw a fiber from the openings of the spinneret. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the fibers are formed without subjecting the material to an externally-applied gas. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the fibers are formed without the fibers falling into liquid after being created. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the produced fibers have a length of 1 micron or longer.