Methods and apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces
First Claim
1. A method for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, said method comprising the steps of:
- dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams;
repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along both of the x- and y-axes as the branch streams flow along the z-axis;
individually symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of at least the two or more branch streams along the x-axis;
individually symmetrically contracting the thickness of at least the two or more branch streams along the y-axis; and
recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces in a fluid mass which:
(a) divide a first stream of the fluid mass into a plurality of branch streams, redirect or reposition the branch streams, expand and contract the branch streams in a symmetrical fashion, and recombine the branch streams to form a second stream of the fluid mass; or
(b) divide a first stream of the fluid mass into a plurality of branch streams, redirect or reposition the branch streams, recombine the branch streams to form a second stream of the fluid mass, and expand and contract the second stream in a symmetrical fashion.
250 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, said method comprising the steps of:
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dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along both of the x- and y-axes as the branch streams flow along the z-axis; individually symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of at least the two or more branch streams along the x-axis; individually symmetrically contracting the thickness of at least the two or more branch streams along the y-axis; and recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17)
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10. A method of generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream from a feedblock, the stream being comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said method consists essentially of:
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dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; repositioning at least the two or more branch streams among which the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface therebetween were distributed along the y-axis as the branch stream flow along the z-axis; recombining the branch streams in overlapping relationship to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream; symmetrically expanding a transverse dimension of the second composite stream along the x-axis; and symmetrically contracting the thickness of the second composite stream in the y-direction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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19. An apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said apparatus comprises:
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dividing means for dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; a plurality of first conduits for repositioning the branch streams along both the x-axis and the y-axis; a plurality of second conduits in fluid communication with the first conduits, with each second conduit having a progressively greater transverse dimension along the x-axis from an inlet opening to an outlet port thereof, the inlet opening being positioned centrally in the apparatus; a plurality of third conduits in fluid communication with the second conduits, with each third conduit having a dimension in the y-direction which becomes progressively lesser from an inlet opening to an outlet port thereof; and means for recombining the branch streams from the third conduits to form a second composite stream which comprises a greater number of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material than the first composite stream.
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20. An apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces within a first composite stream comprised of discrete overlapping layers of polymeric material, of which at least a pair of such discrete overlapping layers define a generally planar layer interface therebetween which lies generally in an x-z plane of an x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the z-axis is taken as extending in the general direction of flow of the first composite stream, the x-axis extends transversely of the first composite stream and defines a transverse dimension of the layer interface, and the y-axis extends generally perpendicularly away from the planar layer interface in the thickness direction of the pair of discrete overlapping layers, wherein said apparatus comprises:
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dividing means for dividing the first composite stream into a plurality of branch streams along the x-axis, such that the pair of discrete overlapping layers and the generally planar layer interface defined therebetween are distributed among two or more of the branch streams; a plurality of first conduits for repositioning the branch streams along both the x-axis and the y-axis; and a conduit wherein the branch streams are recombined and symmetrically expanded and contracted, said conduit defining a tetrahedral cavity through which the recombined branch streams flow, the cavity being formed by the intersection of sides of the conduit in the general form of four truncated isosceles or equilateral triangles.
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Specification