Adjustable feedblock

摘要

An adjustable feedblock configured for adjusting the thicknesses of each layer of the juxtaposed extrudates forming a laminate. The feedblock includes at least one pair of opposing combining planes and at least one pair of opposing extrudate distribution blocks that are removably disposed within the housing of the feedblock. As such, the combining planes and the extrudate distribution blocks partially define portions of the flow paths for the extrudates that form the laminate within the housing of the feedblock. A method for forming a laminate having juxtaposed layers of extrudates of adjustable thicknesses is also disclosed.

主权项

1. An adjustable feedblock, comprising:
a housing having an outside wall that defines an exterior of said housing, said housing including:
a primary inlet;one or more secondary inlets; anda laminate outlet, said housing surrounding said laminate outlet on four sides; one or more combining planes removably disposed within said housing; a primary outlet within said housing, said primary outlet defined, at least partially, by at least one of said one or more combining planes; one or more extrudate distribution blocks removably disposed within said housing, each extrudate distribution block surrounded on four sides by said housing and comprising both an extrudate inlet block and an abutting block carried against said extrudate inlet block; one or more secondary outlets within said housing, each of said one or more secondary outlets defined, at least partially, by at least one of said one or more combining planes and said abutting block of said respective extrudate distribution block of said one or more extrudate distribution blocks; a primary flow path within said housing, said primary flow path extending between said primary inlet and said primary outlet within said housing, at least a portion of said primary flow path proximate said primary outlet being at least partially delineated by a surface of said one or more combining planes, each extrudate inlet block and each abutting block extending from said exterior wall of said housing to said primary flow path within said housing; one or more secondary flow paths within said housing, each of said one or more secondary flow paths extending between at least one of said one or more secondary inlets and at least one of said one or more secondary outlets within said housing, at least a portion of each of said one or more secondary flow paths proximate one of said secondary outlets being delineated between at least one of said one or more combining planes and said abutting block of one of said one or more extrudate distribution blocks; and a laminate flow path within said housing, said laminate flow path extending between said primary outlet and said laminate outlet.