A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. A dynamic mixer is the then used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the dynamic mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. The dynamic mixer has elements configured for acquiring a specific radial orientation in a range of radial orientations that may be varied during the application of the dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to cause variations in the color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extruded material may be created using such process and system and used in the manufacturing of many different products including, but not limited to, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, garden furniture and many others. In some embodiments, the sheets may be characterized by color bands extending diagonally with reference to a longitudinal extent of the sheet.

A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. A dynamic mixer is the then used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the dynamic mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. The dynamic mixer has elements configured for acquiring a specific radial orientation in a range of radial orientations that may be varied during the application of the dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to cause variations in the color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extruded material may be created using such process and system and used in the manufacturing of many different products including, but not limited to, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, garden furniture and many others. In some embodiments, the sheets may be characterized by color bands extending diagonally with reference to a longitudinal extent of the sheet.

In one embodiment, a method of forming an extruded board includes mixing a resin and a foaming agent, melting the mixed resin and foaming agent to form a uniformly colored extrudate, differentially expanding voids formed from the foaming agent within the uniformly colored extrudate by passing the uniformly colored extrudate through a breaker plate, forming a board with the differentially expanded voids and uniformly colored extrudate, and forming lightened portions on an outermost surface of the formed board.

A modular disk coextrusion die is formed of a plurality of cells stacked together. Each cell includes a symmetrical arrangement of thin annular disks, including a central routing disk and two distribution disks on both sides of the central routing disk. The distribution disks are oriented so that their respective distribution inlet openings oppose each other by about 180 degrees. The symmetrical arrangement permits each cell to process the melt streams in a manner that provides enhanced layer uniformity and bubble stability. By stacking several cells, blown films having up to several hundred layers can be made using twelve, twenty-four or more polymer melt streams. Complex films made from the modular disk coextrusion die are also provided.

A security marking has a physically unclonable function (PUF) wherein the PUF includes a disordered multilayer photonic crystal structure having an electromagnetic transmission and/or reflection spectrum and/or spectra upon receipt of electromagnetic radiation within a photonic bandgap region of the structure that is unique to the structure.

A modular disk coextrusion die is formed of a plurality of cells stacked together. Each cell includes an arrangement of thin annular disks, including at least a first cap disk, a first distribution disk, a first transition disk and a first spreader disk. The modular disk coextrusion die includes at least one channel disk having at least one inlet opening and at least two outlet openings per inlet opening. The thin annular disks are configured so that a first of the outlet openings of the channel disk is in fluid communication with the first distribution disk in the first cell and a second of the outlet openings in the channel disk is in fluid communication with the first distribution disk in the second cell. The channel disk provides for a more efficient utilization of space at the inlet of the modular disk coextrusion die and enables the feeding of up to twenty melt streams.

A novel tubular or profile shapes of co-extruded multilayer polymers. These materials contain tens to thousands of layers of milli-, micro- to nano-polymer layers. These new shapes contain contiguous layers of milli- to nano-polymer layers in three dimensions and these contiguous layers may be twisted or turned to further expand the potential microlayer geometries.

A novel tubular or profile shapes of co-extruded multilayer polymers. These materials contain tens to thousands of layers of milli-, micro- to nano-polymer layers. These new shapes contain contiguous layers of milli- to nano-polymer layers in three dimensions and these contiguous layers may be twisted or turned to further expand the potential microlayer geometries.

A melt distributor (1) having a plurality of bifurcated melt passages melt passages (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) for redirecting and distributing melt flows from a thermoplastic plastic. The melt distributor can be connected to a multiple extrusion head for producing multi-layer preforms. The branched junction (8) is configured as a rounded y-shaped conduit branch, and at least the branched junction (8) between a supply passage part (6) and the discharging passage parts (7.1, 7.2) of the bifurcated melt passage follows a continuously bent curve, the curvature of which is not equal to zero. The rounded and continuously bent configuration of the branched junction (8) contributes to shorter flow paths and avoids the formation of dead zones.

A melt distributor (1) having a plurality of bifurcated melt passages melt passages (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) for redirecting and distributing melt flows from a thermoplastic plastic. The melt distributor can be connected to a multiple extrusion head for producing multi-layer preforms. The branched junction (8) is configured as a rounded y-shaped conduit branch, and at least the branched junction (8) between a supply passage part (6) and the discharging passage parts (7.1, 7.2) of the bifurcated melt passage follows a continuously bent curve, the curvature of which is not equal to zero. The rounded and continuously bent configuration of the branched junction (8) contributes to shorter flow paths and avoids the formation of dead zones.