Abstract: A process for making a multilayered article, the process comprising the steps of: (A) Providing a mold comprising: (1) A mold housing comprising (a) at least one injection port, and (b) defining a mold cavity within which are positioned two deformable, pre-molded polymeric sheets; and (2) A removable, hollow core equipped with at least one vent, the removable, hollow core positioned between and space apart from the two polymeric sheets; (B) injecting under high pressure a viscous, crosslinkable, thermoplastic polymer into the mold cavity between the two polymeric sheets and around the removable core, (C) Drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity through both the vent in the mold housing and the vent in the removable, hollow core before, during and/or after the polymer has been injected into the mold; (D) Forming a less than fully cured multilayered article in the mold cavity; and (E) Removing the less than fully cured multilayer article from the mold cavity.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a die assembly for producing microcapillary film. The die assembly is operatively connectable to an extruder having a thermoplastic material passing therethrough. The die assembly includes a pair of die plates, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is positionable between the pair of die plates and defining a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet. The thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a multi-layer film. The plurality of nozzles are positionable between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connectable to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid into the thermoplastic materials exiting the die whereby microcapillaries are formed.

Abstract: A process for making a multilayered article, the process comprising the steps of: (A) Providing a mold comprising: (1) A mold housing comprising (a) at least one injection port, and (b) defining a mold cavity within which are positioned two deformable, pre-molded polymeric sheets; and (2) A removable, hollow core equipped with at least one vent, the removable, hollow core positioned between and space apart from the two polymeric sheets; (B) injecting under high pressure a viscous, crosslinkable, thermoplastic polymer into the mold cavity between the two polymeric sheets and around the removable core, (C) Drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity through both the vent in the mold housing and the vent in the removable, hollow core before, during and/or after the polymer has been injected into the mold; (D) Forming a less than fully cured multilayered article in the mold cavity; and (E) Removing the less than fully cured multilayer article from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layer, microcapillary film is provided. The method involves passing a thermoplastic material into an extruder and through a die assembly operatively connectable to an outlet of the extruder. The die assembly includes a pair of die plates, a manifold positionable between the pair of die plates and defining a plurality of film channels therebetween, and a plurality of nozzles positionable between the plurality of film channels. The film channels converge into an elongate outlet. The nozzles operatively connectable to a source of channel fluid. The method further involves forming the film by extruding the thermoplastic material through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet, and forming microcapillaries by emitting the channel fluid into the thermoplastic materials exiting the die. The film may have different layers of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a die assembly for producing microcapillary film. The die assembly is operatively connectable to an extruder having a thermoplastic material passing therethrough. The die assembly includes a pair of die plates, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is positionable between the pair of die plates and defining a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet. The thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a multi-layer film. The plurality of nozzles are positionable between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connectable to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid into the thermoplastic materials exiting the die whereby microcapillaries are formed.