Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, dies, and methods of making the same

A method of making a three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, wherein a plurality of the polymeric strands are periodically joined together in a regular pattern at bond regions throughout the netting, wherein at least some of the polymeric strands are periodically bonded to at least three adjacent polymeric strands, and wherein no polymeric strands are continuously bonded to another polymeric strand, the method comprising:

• providing an extrusion die, comprising:
• a plurality of shims positioned adjacent to one another, the shims together defining at least a first cavity supplied with a first polymer, and a second cavity supplied with a second polymer different from the first polymer, wherein at least one of the first and the second polymers comprises a thermoplastic chosen from adhesives, nylons, polyesters, polyolefins, polyurethanes, styrenic block copolymers, and blends thereof, and
• a dispensing surface, wherein the dispensing surface comprises a first array of first dispensing orifices and a second array of second dispensing orifices positioned adjacent to each other, alternating with a third array of third dispensing orifices,
• wherein the plurality of shims comprises a plurality of a repeating sequence of shims, wherein the repeating sequence of shims comprises a shim that provides a fluid passageway between at least one of the first and the second cavities and one of the first dispensing orifices, a shim that provides a fluid passageway between at least one of the first and the second cavities and one of the second dispensing orifices, and a shim that provides a fluid passageway between at least one of the first and the second cavities and one of the third dispensing orifices;
• and
• dispensing polymeric strands from at least one of the first, second, or third arrays of dispensing orifices to provide the three-dimensional netting, wherein at least some of the polymeric strands in the three-dimensional netting are formed from the first polymer and at least some of the polymeric strands in the three-dimensional netting are formed from the second polymer, and wherein the first and the second dispensing orifices are configured such that at least some of the polymeric strands in the three-dimensional netting have a core of the first polymer and a sheath of the second polymer.