Film with Layered Segments and Apparatus and Method for Making the Same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018178481-A1
Application number	US-201815905309-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 26, 2018
Priority date	Mar 1, 2013
Publication date	Jun 28, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A film having first segments and second segments arranged across the film's width direction is disclosed. The first and second segments are separated from each other by polymer interfaces. The first segments include a first polymeric composition and the second segments include a second polymeric composition. At least some of the second segments are layered second segments having first and second layers in the film's thickness direction, and one of the first or second layers includes a third polymeric composition different from the second polymeric composition. An extrusion die useful for making the film and a method for making the film using the extrusion die are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An extrusion die comprising at least a first cavity, a second cavity, and a dispensing surface having a dispensing slot,
wherein a first fluid passageway within the extrusion die extends from the first cavity to a first slot segment of the dispensing slot, wherein a second fluid passageway within the extrusion die extends from the second cavity to a second slot segment of the dispensing slot, wherein the second slot segment and first slot segment are arranged side-by-side to provide a combined width; and wherein a third fluid passageway within the extrusion die extends from a die cavity within the extrusion die to the second slot segment, wherein the third fluid passageway meets the second fluid passageway from an area above the second fluid passageway at a point where the second fluid passageway enters the dispensing slot, and wherein the third fluid passageway has a width at a point where it meets the second fluid passageway that is less than the combined width of the first and second slot segments.

2 . The extrusion die of claim 1 , wherein a fourth fluid passageway within the extrusion die extends from a cavity within the extrusion die to the first slot segment, wherein the fourth fluid passageway meets the first fluid passageway from an area above or below the first fluid passageway at a point where the first fluid passageway enters the dispensing slot, and wherein the fourth fluid passageway has a width at a point wherein it meets the first fluid passageway that is less than the combined width of the first and second slot segments.

3 . The extrusion die of claim 2 , wherein the third fluid passageway extends on one side of the second fluid passageway, wherein upstream from the dispensing slot the third fluid passageway is diverted into branches that meet the second fluid passageway at areas above and below the second fluid passageway at the point where the second at the point where the second fluid passageway enters the dispensing slot.

4 . The extrusion die of claim 1 , wherein the fluid passageways are provided by a plurality of sequences of shims, wherein each sequence comprises at least one first shim that provides the first fluid passageway, at least one second shim that provides the second fluid passageway, and at least one third shim that provides the at least one third fluid passageway.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Hanschen Thomas P
• Ausen Ronald W
• Kopecky William J

Classifications

• B32B5/145

  Variation across the thickness of the layer · CPC title

• B32B2555/02

  Diapers or napkins · CPC title

• B32B27/302

  comprising aromatic vinyl (co)polymers, e.g. styrenic (co)polymers · CPC title

• Y10T428/24752

  Laterally noncoextensive components · CPC title

• B32B5/142

  Variation across the area of the layer · CPC title