Patent ID: 8821775

Claim:
A method of coextruding a plurality of fluid layers, comprising: a. directing a fluid through a distribution plate and onto a primary forming stem, said distribution plate having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet from said plate being in fluid communication with said primary forming stem and structured such that said fluid is deposited onto said primary forming stem as a layer; b. forming a substantially unified, microlayered fluid mass on a microlayer forming stem by directing at least one additional fluid through a microlayer assembly, said microlayer assembly comprising a plurality of microlayer distribution plates, each of said microlayer plates having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet from each of said microlayer plates being in fluid communication with said microlayer forming stem and structured to deposit a microlayer of fluid onto said microlayer forming stem, said microlayer plates being arranged to provide a predetermined order in which the microtayers are deposited onto said microlayer forming stem; and c. directing said microlayered fluid mass from said microlayer forming stem and onto said primary forming stem to merge said microlayered fluid mass with said fluid layer from said distribution plate in order to minimize interfacial flow instabilities.