Dual stage flex lip for an extrusion die

A die, comprising:

• an upper body member having a upper surface, a gap surface, a gap edge positioned between the upper surface and the gap surface, and a gap flange;
• and
• an adjustment system comprising:
• an adjustment body defining a plurality of channels, and
• a plurality of adjusters, each of the plurality of adjusters being slideably positioned within a respective one of the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of adjusters being configured to couple to the gap flange of the upper body member, wherein when the plurality of adjusters are coupled to the gap flange, movement of the plurality of adjusters causes a change in a position of the gap edge.

A die, comprising:

• an upper body member having an upper surface, a gap surface, a gap edge positioned between the upper surface and the gap surface, and a gap flange;
• a center body member having an upper center surface, a lower center surface, and a center edge positioned between the upper center surface and the lower center surface, the center member being positioned adjacent to the upper body member defining a gap channel between the gap surface and the upper center surface and a gap opening between the gap edge and the center edge;
• and
• an adjustment system comprising:
• an adjustment body defining a plurality of adjuster channels, and
• a plurality of gap adjusters, each of the plurality of gap adjusters being slideably positioned within a respective one of the plurality of adjuster channels, each of the plurality of gap adjusters being configured to couple to the gap flange of the upper body member, wherein when the plurality of gap adjusters are coupled to the gap flange, movement of the plurality of gap adjusters causes a change in a size of the gap opening.

A method for dispensing fluid through an extrusion die, the extrusion die defining a gap channel, a gap opening, a main channel, a main opening, and a lower channel, the gap opening being positioned between the main channel and the gap channel, the method comprising:

• providing a first fluid into the main channel through the gap opening via the gap channel;
• providing a second fluid into the main channel via the lower channel such that the first fluid is combined with the second fluid in the main channel;
• and
• adjusting a thickness of the first fluid flowing through the gap opening by adjusting a size of the gap opening.