Patent ID: 7294301

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure, comprising the steps of: extruding a first material supply through a die to form a honeycomb log having a plurality of intersecting, interior walls forming parallel cell channels, and throughout the step of extruding, intermittently regulating flow of a second batch material supply into the cell channels, wherein the die includes (i) a die body having an inlet face, an outlet face, and a honeycomb die region, wherein the honeycomb die region includes an array of slots which define an array of pins, wherein the pins further include first and second sets of secondary feedholes; and, (ii) at least a first manifold plate and a second manifold plate, wherein the manifold plates include feed channels and secondary feedholes for supplying and regulating the second batch material from feed sources; the step of regulating includes periodically injecting a portion of the cell channels with the second batch material through the secondary feedholes as the honeycomb log is being extruded; and cutting the honeycomb log at an interface between the second batch material and cell channels, such that there results a honeycomb structure having a first portion of end-plugged cell channels at one end and a second portion of end-plugged cell channels at the other end, but not corresponding to the first portion.