| abstract |
The application provides a die assembly (311) for making microcapillary films. The die assembly (311) is operably connected to an extruder having thermoplastic material (M) therethrough. The die assembly (311) includes a pair of die plates (356a, 356b), a manifold (354) and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold (354) may be positioned between a pair of templates (356a, 356b) and define a plurality of membrane channels (470a, 470b). The plurality of membrane channels (470a, 470b) converge to an elongated outlet (473). The thermoplastic material (M) is extrudable through a plurality of film channels (470a, 470b) and an elongated outlet (473) to form a multilayer film. The plurality of nozzles may be positioned between the plurality of membrane channels (470a, 470b). The plurality of nozzles are operably connected to a channel fluid (F) source for injecting channel fluid onto the thermoplastic material exiting the die, thereby forming microcapillaries. |