Down-like fiber

Abstract

The invention provides a down-like fiber which comprises a hollow stem and a plurality of shaped lobes arranged radially around the stem wherein each shaped lobe has a bottom end and a head end opposite the bottom end. The bottom end attaches to the surface of the hollow stem and two adjacent head ends do not connect to one another to form an opening. The present invention also provides a spinneret and a method for manufacturing the above fiber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A down-like fiber, comprising:
 a hollow stem; and   a plurality of shaped lobes, arranged radially from the hollow stem as a center, wherein each of the shaped lobes comprises a bottom end and a head end opposite the bottom end, and the bottom end connects to a surface of the hollow stem, and the head ends of two adjacent shaped lobes do not connect with one another to form an opening.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped lobes are T-shaped, cross-shaped, Y-shaped, ↑-shaped, ♀-shaped, W-shaped, H-shaped, V-shaped or rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the number of the shaped lobes is from 2 to 6. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber is a filament or a staple. 
     
     
         5 . A spinneret for use in manufacturing the down-like fiber of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of slits of spinning nozzles, each of the slits of spinning nozzles comprising:
 an inner ring portion; and   an outer lobe portion, comprising a bottom end and a head end opposite the bottom end, wherein the bottom end connects to the inner ring portion;   
       wherein the inner ring portions of the plurality of slits of spinning nozzles are arranged in a circle at a regular interval, and the head ends of two adjacent outer lobe portions do not connect with one another to form an opening. 
     
     
         6 . The spinneret of  claim 5 , wherein the outer lobe portion are T-shaped, cross-shaped, Y-shaped, ↑-shaped, ♀-shaped, W-shaped, H-shaped, V-shaped or rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The spinneret of  claim 5 , wherein the number of the slit of spinning nozzle is from 2 to 6. 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing the down-like fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising extruding a polyester polymer in melting form through a spinneret, wherein the spinneret comprises a plurality of slits of spinning nozzles, and each of the slits of spinning nozzles comprises:
 an inner ring portion; and   an outer lobe portion, comprising a bottom end and a head end opposite the bottom end, wherein the bottom end connects to the inner ring portion;   
       wherein the inner ring portions of the plurality of slits of spinning nozzles are arranged in a circle at a regular interval, and the head ends of two adjacent outer lobe portions do not connect with one another to form an opening.