Coating die having quick assembly features

Abstract

A slot coating die having at least a first and a second portion together defining a cavity in fluid communication with a first applicator slot, and at least one quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the first portion against the second portion. The invention particularly lends itself to the preparation of multilayer coating dies that include a third portion with the second portion and the third portion together defining a second cavity in fluid communication with a second applicator slot. The preferred rear operating quick release clamps obviate the need to tear down the entire die to access one of the interior portions in order to replace a shim or clean a slot.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a die having at least a first and a second portion together defining a manifold in fluid communication with a first applicator slot; and    at least one quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the fist portion against the second portion.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least a second quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the first portion against the second portion.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the quick release fastener is of a type such that the first portion can be clamped against the second portion by the quick release fastener over a range of positions relative to each other, the range being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first applicator slot.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the quick release fastener is operable from the rear of the die compared to the applicator slot.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the coating die is a multilayer die further comprising at least a third portion with the second portion and the third portion together defining a second manifold in fluid communication with a second applicator slot.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5  at least one quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the second portion against the third portion.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the quick release fastener comprises 
 a stud attached to one of the first portion or the second portion and adapted to extend into a recess in the other portion, and    a rotatable cam positioned so as to exert a force against the stud when rotated.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the force against the stud is variable depending on the degree of rotation of the rotatable cam relative to the stud.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the rotatable cam can be accessed from the rear of the die compared to the applicator slot.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  such that the first portion can be clamped against the second portion by the quick release fastener over a range of positions relative to each other, the range being oriented in a direction perpendicular from the axis of the applicator slot.  
   
   
       11 . A method of assembling a coating die, comprising: 
 providing at least a first and a second die portion that together define a manifold in fluid communication with a first applicator slot,    providing at least one quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the first portion against the second portion, and    actuating the quick release fastener.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising 
 providing at a second quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the first portion against the second portion, and    actuating the second quick release fastener.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the quick release fastener is of a type such that the first portion can be clamped against the second portion by the quick release fastener over a range of positions relative to each other, the range being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first applicator slot, and where in the method further comprises 
 positioning the first portion relative to the second portion within the range of positions so as to achieve a predetermined offset between the first portion and the second portion at the applicator slot.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the quick release fastener is operable from the rear of the die compared to the applicator slot.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the coating die is a multilayer die, and the method further comprises providing at least a third portion with the second portion and the third portion together defining a second manifold in fluid communication with a second applicator slot.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  at least one quick release fastener disposed so as to clamp the second portion against the third portion.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the quick release fastener comprises 
 a stud attached to one of the first portion or the second portion and adapted to extend into a recess in the other portion, and    a rotatable cam positioned so as to exert a force against the stud when rotated.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the force against the stud is variable depending on the degree of rotation of the rotatable cam relative to the stud.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising positioning a shim having a thickness selected from a range of thicknesses between the first portion and the second portion, wherein 
 rotation of the rotatable cam will exert a variable force against the stud when any of the possible shims has been so positioned.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the stud has a bearing surface adapted to contact the rotatable cam.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein the stud is mounted so that the bearing surface can be fixed in any one of a plurality of positions in a direction perpendicular to the separation plane of the die portions.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the rotatable cam can be accessed from the rear of the die compared to dic applicator slot.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22  such that the first portion can be clamped against the second portion by the quick release fastener over a range of positions relative to each other, the range being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the applicator slot.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the quick release fasteners are adapted to hold without exerting a twisting force around an axis perpendicular to the separation plane of the die portions.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising clamping the first portion to the second portion with at least one non-quick release fastener.