Adjustable coextrusion feedblock
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A feedblock, comprising:
- a main passage having a length extending from a first inlet toward an outlet and a width transverse to the length;
a plurality of intercommunicating auxiliary passages converging with the main passage on one side of the main passage at a series of openings arranged across the width of the main passage, the auxiliary passages intercommunicating over at least a portion of their lengths from the openings to upstream of the openings; and
flow adjustment apparatus disposed in the auxiliary passages for controlling flow of a material therethrough;
wherein each auxiliary passage is defined by associated passage walls substantially fully surrounding an associated auxiliary flow of material therethrough.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A feedblock for coextrusion apparatus permits profile adjustment of individual layers through the use of flow tuning valves that extend across the width of a main flow through the feedblock.
80 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A feedblock, comprising:
-
a main passage having a length extending from a first inlet toward an outlet and a width transverse to the length; a plurality of intercommunicating auxiliary passages converging with the main passage on one side of the main passage at a series of openings arranged across the width of the main passage, the auxiliary passages intercommunicating over at least a portion of their lengths from the openings to upstream of the openings; and flow adjustment apparatus disposed in the auxiliary passages for controlling flow of a material therethrough; wherein each auxiliary passage is defined by associated passage walls substantially fully surrounding an associated auxiliary flow of material therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A feedblock, comprising:
-
a main passage having a length extending from a first inlet toward an outlet and a width transverse to the length; a plurality of intercommunicating auxiliary passages converging with the main passage on one side of the main passage at a series of openings arranged across the width of the main passage; and flow adjustment apparatus disposed in the auxiliary passages for controlling flow of a material therethrough; wherein the auxiliary passages are inclined relative to one another.
-
-
12. A feedblock, comprising:
-
a first passage extending toward an outlet; a second passage converging with the first passage at a first convergence point on one side of the first passage; a third passage intercommunicating with the second passage and converging with the first passage at a second convergence point on the one side of the first passage laterally offset from the first convergence point, the second and third passages intercommunicating over at least a portion of their lengths from the convergence points to upstream of the convergence points; and first and second valve rods disposed in the second and third passages, respectively, at least one of the valve rods being movable in the respective passage to change flow resistance therein and wherein each second and third passage is defined by walls spaced from an associated one of the valve rods such that a space for material flow completely surrounds each rod. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
-
-
19. A feedblock comprising:
-
a first passage extending toward an outlet; a second passage converging with the first passage at a first convergence point on one side of the first passage; a third passage overlapping with the second passage and converging with the first passage at a second convergence point on the one side of the first passage laterally offset from the first convergence point; and first and second valve rods disposed in the second and third passages, respectively, at least one of the valve rods being movable in the respective passage to change flow resistance therein; wherein the second and third passages are inclined relative to one another.
-
-
22. A feedblock, comprising:
-
a main passage extending toward an outlet and having a width; a set of intercommunicating auxiliary passages converging with the main passage at a convergence area on one side of the main passage wherein each auxiliary passage is round in cross-section and has a length and wherein the auxiliary passages intercommunicate over at least a portion of the lengths thereof from the convergence area to upstream of the convergence area; and a set of movable valve rods disposed within the set of auxiliary passages, wherein the movable valve rods are adjustable to permit profile adjustment of an extrudate cap layer formed on a main layer of extrudate flowing in the main passage and wherein each valve rod is round in cross-section. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A feedblock comprising:
-
a main passage extending toward an outlet and having a width; a set of intercommunicating auxiliary passages converging with the main passage at a convergence area on one side of the main passage; and a set of movable valve rods disposed within the set of auxiliary passages, wherein the movable valve rods are adjustable to permit profile adjustment of an extrudate cap layer formed on a main layer of extrudate flowing in the main passage; wherein the auxiliary passages are divided into two sets and wherein the auxiliary passages of one set are interspersed with and inclined relative to the auxiliary passages of another set. - View Dependent Claims (28)
-
Specification