Die with insert and gas purging method for die

An insert for use within a die, the die including a die housing having a plurality of inner wall sections defining a die cavity, an inlet passageway passing through the die housing in fluid communication with the die cavity, and an outlet passageway passing through the die housing in fluid communication with the die cavity at a position distal from the inlet passageway, wherein the inlet passageway is adapted to selectively connect to an external supply of fluent material, the insert comprising:

• a body portion having a plurality of outer wall sections, wherein the body portion is adapted to be removably positioned within the die cavity, and wherein at least one flow channel is formed between at least one outer wall section of the body portion of the insert and each opposite inner wall section of the die housing upon positioning the body portion within the die cavity;
• a first conduit passing through at least part of the body portion of the insert, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication between the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway;
• and
• a second conduit passing through at least the die housing, wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with each flow channel and the outlet passageway, and wherein the second conduit is adapted to selectively connect to the external supply of fluent material.

A method of purging gas from a die assembly including a housing having a plurality of inner wall sections defining a cavity, an inlet passageway passing through the die housing in fluid communication with the die cavity, an outlet passageway passing through the die housing in fluid communication with the die cavity at a position distal from the inlet passageway, wherein the inlet passageway is adapted to selectively connect to an external supply of fluent material;

• an insert removably received in the die cavity, the insert comprising a body portion having a plurality of outer wall sections, wherein at least one flow channel is formed between at least one inner wall section of the die housing and each opposite outer wall section of the body portion of the insert;
• a first conduit passing through at least a portion of the body portion of the insert, wherein the first conduit is in fluid communication between the inlet passageway and the outlet passageway;
• and
• a second conduit passing through the die housing, wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with each flow channel and the outlet passageway, and wherein the second conduit is adapted to selectively connect to the external supply of fluent material;
• the method comprising:
• (a) providing a first liquid flow from the external supply of fluent material through the second conduit;
• (b) continuing the first liquid flow through the second conduit until the second conduit and each flow channel are substantially free of gas;
• and
• (c) thereafter providing a second liquid flow from the external supply of fluent material through the first conduit, thereby providing a sheet of fluent material from the outlet passageway.