Patent ID: 7780895
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A method of adjustably controlling the position of non-homogeneous conditions that occur across a stream of laminar flowing material that flows at a first level in at least one flow path of a tool, comprising: providing within at least one flow path of the tool an adjustable flow diverter device having a flow geometry that is adjustable in situ within a body of the tool to reposition the non-homogeneous conditions of the laminar flowing material to desired positions within the cross section of the flow path downstream of the adjustable flow diverter device; the adjustable flow diverter device including a first flow path portion and a second flow path portion; the first flow path portion having an interconnecting area and the second flow path portion having an interconnecting area; a third flow path portion connecting the interconnecting area of the first flow path portion and the interconnecting area of the second flow path portion, the third flow path portion having a structure which enables it to interconnect some or substantially the entire stream of laminar flowing material to and/or from a second flow level that is different from the flow level of at least one of the first and second flow path portions; and the flow geometry of the adjustable flow diverter device being adjustable in situ by moving the third flow path portion to one of multiple positions with respect to one of the interconnecting areas to adjust the flow geometry of the diverter device to reposition the non-homogeneous conditions; flowing a stream of laminar flowing material in the flow path in which the adjustable flow diverter device is located so that non-homogeneous melt conditions occur across laminates of the stream; and adjusting the flow geometry of the adjustable flow diverter device in situ within the tool body so that the non-homogeneous conditions of the laminar flowing material are repositioned to the desired positions within the cross section of the flow path of the tool.