Apparatus for making multilayer optical films
First Claim
1. A feedblock for making a multilayer optical film, comprising:
- (a) a gradient plate comprising at least first and second flow channels, wherein at least one of said flow channel has a cross-sectional area that changes from a first position to a second position along said flow channel;
(b) a feeder tube plate having a first plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said first flow channel and a second plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said second flow channel, each conduit feeding its own respective slot die, each conduit having a first end and a second end and, said first end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said flow channels, and said second end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said slot die; and
(c) an axial rod heater located proximal to said conduits.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A feedblock for making a multilayer optical film, comprising:
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(a) a gradient plate comprising at least first and second flow channels, wherein at least one of said flow channel has a cross-sectional area that changes from a first position to a second position along said flow channel;
(b) a feeder tube plate having a first plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said first flow channel and a second plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said second flow channel, each conduit feeding its own respective slot die, each conduit having a first end and a second end and, said first end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said flow channels, and said second end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said slot die; and
(c) an axial rod heater located proximal to said conduits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A feedblock for making a multilayer optical film, comprising:
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(a) a gradient plate comprising at least first and second flow channels, wherein at least one of said flow channels has a cross-sectional area that changes from a first position to a second position along said flow channel;
(b) a feeder tube plate comprising a first plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said first flow channel and a second plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said second flow channel, each conduit feeding its own respective slot die, each conduit having a first end and a second end and, said first end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said flow channels and said second end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said slot die; and
(c) a manifold plate comprising at least first and second supplemental channels having top and bottom portions, said top portion being bounded by said manifold plate, said bottom portion being bounded in said gradient plate and lying opposite of said flow channels. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A feedblock for making a multilayer optical film, comprising:
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(a) a housing having external surfaces;
(b) a gradient plate inside said housing, said gradient plate comprising at least first and second flow channels, wherein at least one of said flow channels has a cross-sectional area that changes from a first position to a second position along said flow channel;
(c) a feeder tube plate comprising a first plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said first flow channel and a second plurality of conduits in fluid communication with said second flow channel, each conduit feeding its own respective slot die, each conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said flow channels and said second end of said conduits being in fluid communication with said slot die; and
(d) heaters attached to said external surface of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification