Hybrid disk-cone extrusion die module
AssigneePechiney Emballage Flexible Europe
InventorsRandolph L. Davidson, Robert John Blemberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses an extrusion die module having a flat compression seal and a conical or otherwise angled spillover surface. The die module promotes a flat surface to flat surface compression seal outside of the flow distribution channels and promotes better streamlined flow and material combination than a traditional flat disk die module. The die module promotes a reduced overall diameter and wetted diameter in comparison to standard flat disk dies. Further, the present invention relates to a method for utilizing an extrusion die module with a conical or otherwise angled spillover surface to minimize the die surface area wetted by an intermediate layer in a multi-layer coextrusion process.
Claims20
An extrusion die module comprising:
- a first mating portion comprising:
- a first planar seal surface defining a first plane;
- a first spillover surface disposed adjacent to said first planar seal surface and, at least in part, outside of said first plane;
- at least one first distribution channel extending from said first seal surface to said first spillover surface;
- and
- at least one first seal surface boundary having a first end point and a second end point, wherein said at least one first seal surface boundary intersects said at least one first distribution channel at said first and second end points along said first plane.
A modular extrusion die assembly comprising:
- a plurality of extrusion die modules disposed in series having an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein a first extrusion die module comprises:
- a first mating portion comprising:
- a first planar seal surface defining a first plane;
- a first spillover surface disposed adjacent to said first planar seal surface and, at least in part, outside of said first plane;
- at least one first distribution channel extending from said first seal surface to said first spillover surface;
- and
- at least one first seat surface boundary having a first end point and a second end point, wherein said at least one first seal surface boundary intersects said at least one first distribution channel at said first and second end points along said first plane.
A method of extruding molten plastic resin through an extrusion die assembly comprising the steps of:
- providing an extrusion die module comprising:
- a first mating portion comprising:
- a first planar seal surface defining a first plane;
- a first spillover surface disposed adjacent to said first planar seal surface and, at least in part, outside of said first plane;
- at least one first distribution channel extending from said first seal surface to said first spillover surface;
- and
- at least one first seal surface boundary having a first end point and a second end point, wherein said at least one first seal surface boundary intersects said at least one first distribution channel at said first and second end points along said first plane;
- and
- extruding melt material through said extrusion die module to form an extrudate.
A method of forming a film having at least three layers comprising the steps of:
- providing a modular extrusion die assembly having at least three extrusion die modules, wherein a second extrusion die module is disposed between a first extrusion die module and a third extrusion die module, wherein said second extrusion die module and said third extrusion die module each comprise:
- a first mating portion comprising:
- a first planar seal surface defining a first plane;
- a first spillover surface disposed adjacent to said first planar seal surface and, at least in pan, outside of said first plane;
- at least one first distribution channel extending from said first seal surface to said first spillover surface;
- and
- at least one first seal surface boundary having a first end point and a second end point, wherein said at least one first seal surface boundary intersects said at least one first distribution channel at said first and second end points along said first plane;
- and
- extruding a first melt material through said first extrusion die module, a second melt material through said second extrusion die module, and a third melt material through said third extrusion die module to form an extrudate having at least three layers of material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.