Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and methods for dispensing a composition, the apparatus includes a barrel (120) having an inlet (128) and an outlet (129), a screw (122) received in the barrel, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to a shank end (134) of the screw to rotate the screw. The screw is hollow and includes both interior and exterior surfaces, the interior surfaces defining a cavity (142) adjacent to the outlet, and wherein the screw further includes a plurality of apertures (140) through which the cavity and exterior surfaces communicate with each other. The apertures are located along a perforated portion (146) of the cavity, where the perforated portion can have a transverse dimension that increases with distance from the shank end. The apertures can also provide a hole area, relative to the exterior surface of the screw, that increases with distance from the shank end.

Abstract: An extrusion die (20) and method for co-extruding a first molten polymeric material and a second molten polymeric material. The die includes a first die portion (20), a second die portion and a shim separating the first die portion and the second die portion. The shim has a first side and a second side, the first side of the shim forming a boundary of the first die portion and defining a first die cavity (38), the second side of the shim forming a boundary of the second die portion and defining a second die cavity (40). A dispensing edge (36) is provided having a plurality of first and second extrusion openings, a plurality of first feed channels connecting the first die cavity to the first extrusion openings along the dispensing edge, and a plurality of second feed channels connecting the second die cavity to the second extrusion openings along the dispensing edge.

Abstract: A die (20) comprising two die cavities (38,40), with each supplying one polymeric material, a septum (26) separating the two die cavities (38,40), and a die opening (44) through which an extrudate is extruded. The septum (26) has a dispensing edge (36) and a plurality of extrusion channels. First extrusion channels connect one die cavity (38) and second extrusion channels connect the other die cavity (40) to the dispensing edge (36). The first and second extrusion channels are disposed in alternating positions along the dispensing edge such that one first channel is disposed between any two adjacent second channels. A method of extruding with such a die (20) and an extruded article made therefrom. The extruded article comprises a plurality of longitudinal first zones composed of a first polymeric material alternating with a plurality of longitudinal second zones composed of a second polymeric material such that one first zone is disposed between any two adjacent second zones.

Abstract: A feedblock for a film extruder used to produce a uniform, multiple layer web. The feedblock has a generally annular configuration, for receipt of a core material and a skin material. The feedblock has a varying radial dimension for passage of the skin material therethrough. After feeding the core material and the skin material through the feedblock and then a die, a flat web having at least three layers, uniform across the web width, is obtained.