IP Library Granted Patent US 7,641,462
Granted Patent B2
US 7,641,462 · App. 11/091,424 · Granted Jan 5, 2010

Apparatus for producing multi-layer film

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,641,462
App. No.
11/091,424
Granted
Jan 5, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a joining section there are columnar distribution pins, on whose periphery a groove is formed. A size of the groove is strictly determined. A first dope and a third dope are fed through the respective grooves such that a width of each dope is controlled. Thereafter, the surface and third dopes are joined with an second dope. Thus a multi-layer stream is obtained and cast through a die lip of a casting die for forming a casting film having a multi-layer structure. The casting film is dried and thus a multi-layer film is obtained.

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus for producing a multi-layer film, comprising:

a feed block for joining at a joining section a first polymer solution and a second polymer solution that flow in different flow paths, so as to form and feed out a casting polymer solution stream through a path exit, said second polymer solution having lower viscosity than said first polymer solution, said first and second polymer solutions flowing in parallel to each other in said casting polymer solution stream;

a casting die for extending a width of a casting polymer solution stream fed out from said feed block and for casting said casting polymer solution stream through a die lip onto a support after the extending, so as to form a casting film having a multi-layer structure;

an edge slitting device for slitting off edge portions of said casting film in a widthwise direction thereof, to obtain a production area of said casting film;

a distribution pin provided in said joining section in said feed block;

a groove formed on said distribution pin, for controlling a flowing width of said second polymer solution when said second polymer solution flows in said groove;

wherein a width Wd and a depth Dd of said groove satisfies following formulae (1) and (2),

0.6( Wa Wc/Wb )< Wd< 1.14( Wa Wc/Wb )

0.5( Da Dg/Df )< Dd< 3.2( Da Dg/Df )

Wa: width of said path exit

Wb: width of said casting film,

Wc: width of the production area of said casting film

Da: depth of said path exit

Df: thickness of layer formed from said first polymer film in said casting film

Dg: thickness of layer formed from said second polymer film in said casting film,

wherein said groove is constructed of a first groove area having said width Wd and said Depth Dd and a second groove formed in a middle of said first groove in a widthwise direction of a bottom of said first groove, and

wherein a width We and a depth De of said second groove satisfy following formula (3), (4):

0.05Wd<We<0.15Wd,

0.15Dd<De<1.5Dd.

2. An apparatus claimed in claim 1 , wherein said distribution pin is columnar, and said groove is formed on a periphery of said distribution pin.

3. An apparatus claimed in claim 2 , wherein said distribution pin is rotatable, and said second polymer solution passes part of said groove.

4. An apparatus claimed in claim 3 , wherein said width Wd of said groove varies in a rotational direction of said distribution pin, and a rotation of said distribution pin changes said width Wd of said part for controlling a flowing width of said second polymer solution.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2007
From: FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.)
To: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018904/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2005
From: ITO, KOJU; YAMAZAKI, HIDEKAZU
To: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016424/0875 →